U.S. Navy, DHS seek proposal for laser weapons
U.S. defense and homeland security agencies want information on building a laser weapon capable of thwarting a demanding range of threats, among them ” Jet Skis, small-boat swarm attacks, rockets, mortars, artillery rounds, shoulder-fired missiles, electro-optic sensors, and soft, unmanned aerial vehicles,” and more
If you were inspired by President Clinton “to focus like a laser beam,” or you are in the laser business, read on: The U.S. Navy is seeking information for producing a high-energy laser weapon within three years which may be used by the military and DHS for several purposes, such as defeating attacks using personal watercraft and UAVs. “Emphasis should be placed on an initial capability that could counter a subset of asymmetric threats such as Jet Skis, small-boat swarm attacks, rockets, mortars, artillery rounds, [shoulder-fired missiles], electro-optic sensors, and soft, unmanned aerial vehicles,” a notice last week on FedBizOpps stated. The Navy is aiming to begin testing technology in March and envisions developing a weapon that can be fielded as either a land-based system or integrated onto ships. “As laser and laser-beam control technology matures the system should be able to support upgrades that expand the potential target set, surveillance capabilities and operating range of the system,” the notice added.
“As laser and laser-beam control technology matures the system should be able to support upgrades that expand the potential target set, surveillance capabilities and operating range of the system,” the notice added.
-read more in this National Journal Technology Daily report (sub. req.)
