Hel-md, a mobile high-energy laser demonstrator, can beam a concentrated light beam at airborne targets. It disables drones and destroys incoming mortar shells. It's powered by lithium ion batteries and a 60-kilowatt diesel generator, and uses a bespoke system of hi-tech sensors to track its targets in flight.
According to Army officials last year, the HELMD successfully engaged more then 90 mortar rounds and several unmanned aircraft vehicles in multiple tests at White Sands Missile Range. This success led officials to seek out ways to increase the laser’s power and eventually boost its strength up to 100 milliwatts.
This could be a big step forward in defense of hypersonic missiles, which fly too fast to be hit with conventional systems. The Army has begun to test a 10 kilowatt laser. It hopes to reduce it into a 50-kilowatt version, and eventually down to 100 kilowatts.
As the technology continues to evolve, it is becoming an increasingly important weapon for warfighters. Lasers are capable of disabling a variety of weapons with increasing power. It can be used in many maritime situations to disarm airborne threats.
A helmd is intended to be operated jointly by a vehicle operator (or weapon operator) and a weapon operator (or both). They must be able and willing to work together. The laser's intensity can be controlled by an Xbox controller and the laser can also tracked and aimed using a laptop.
The laser must be precise in its aiming to achieve desired beam focus. This is accomplished by using 127 mirrors and lenses to create a small spot on the target. This makes it possible for the laser beam to focus on the target, and allows it to produce powerful light that can cause damage.
For this reason, the US Department of Defense has funded a number of projects that focus on improving the performance of hel-md. These projects include studies designed to decrease the weight and improve the accuracy of the laser, as well as make it more compatible with the armed forces.
These efforts include testing the effects of atmospheric conditions upon hel-md’s target tracking and acquisition abilities. To determine which sensing modes would work best in rainy and fog conditions, the program team ran tests.
These studies will form the foundation of future research in helmd's operational capability and help to assess how a weapon can meet the requirements for the U.S. Army in various battlefield conditions, including adverse climate.
This project also examines the ability of this system to engage targets at greater ranges and in wider environmental conditions than prior high-energy radar systems. This will enable ground-based missiles to be defeated and aircraft to be neutralized.