Digital Scryer

Exactly what the title says, early this year at the White Sands Missile Range, Boeing conducted tests of a 1 kilowatt solid state laser they developed. It was mounted to an Avenger Combat Vehicle, a type of Humvee normally equipped with Stinger missiles to take down enemy aircraft.

The Boeing Laser Avenger

The “Laser Avenger” is equipped with advanced targeting systems, and as part of the test was easily able to acquire and target 3 UAVs which were themselves flying through complex mountain and dessert terrain. The laser was effectively used to shoot down one of the UAVs.

While Boeing didn’t say exactly how far the laser could shoot effectively, they did say it was at “an operationally relevant range”. Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems, had this to say: “Small UAVs armed with explosives or equipped with surveillance sensors are a growing threat on the battlefield. Laser Avenger, unlike a conventional weapon, can fire its laser beam without creating missile exhaust or gun flashes that would reveal its position. As a result, Laser Avenger can neutralize these UAV threats while keeping our troops safe.”

The Laser Avenger is the more powerful, younger cousin, of an earlier test model used to take out improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) on the ground.

Boeing program director for High-Energy Laser/Electro-Optical Systems Lee Gutheinz said “We doubled the laser power; added sophisticated acquisition, tracking and pointing capability; and simplified and ruggedized the design.” This means the laser was stronger with a longer range, had better targeting and aiming, and could take more of a beating itself. Which is especially important considering the fact that these weapons will probably be deployed in the Middle East if they’re not already. The Middle East isn’t known for it’s flat, paved roads.

Middle Eastern Terrain

Another good thing about being deployed in the deserts of the far east would be if they included solar panels, or wind power turbines on these babies to recharge their batteries. Even better would be solar/wind power recharging stations. Including some other forms of on-board power generation would give them more shots between recharges; might as well get to shoot them for cheap if not free.

Free Laser Blasts Anyone?

Thanks to Gizmag.com for the initial heads up, and Boeing for their contribution. For more on Solar, Wind, and other forms of alternative energy, you can check out our page, Home Wind Power.

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