Oct 28 2010
Boeing announced that the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) group in Albuquerque, New Mexico is combining the laser ray director assembly with the laser beam control system. Boeing’s HEL TD group in Huntsville, Alabama is deploying subassemblies onto the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT). These integrations are being carried out to deploy the laser beam control system on the HEMTT.
Illustration of HEMTT
HEL TD is a laser system demonstrator that will validate the capability to shoot down mortars, artillery, and rockets. The subassemblies that are being deployed on the HEMTT incorporate air conditioning, ventilation, and generator units. The HEL TD also features a system enclosure, which holds most of the hardware such as the beam director and the beam control system.
After the beam control system’s deployment onto the HEMTT system, the HEL TD will enter low-power system test at the White Sands Missile Range that is located in New Mexico. The tests will showcase the system’s capability to obtain, track, and aim mobile projectiles. The HEMTT will later feature a high-energy laser, which will demolish the targets.
The HEL TD system will choose an aim point on the target to be destroyed. The device will obtain the laser ray from the laser unit and align it. It will then focus the laser beam onto the target. The HEL TD system also incorporates optical sensors, high-speed processors, and mirrors.
Boeing is manufacturing the HEL TD device after receiving a contract from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.