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High Energy Laser
A High Energy Laser (HEL) is a powerful, focused beam of light used by the military to disable or destroy targets such as drones, missiles, or vehicles, without using traditional projectiles.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A High Energy Laser (HEL) is a directed energy weapon system that projects concentrated electromagnetic radiation, typically operating in the kilowatt to megawatt power range, designed for precision engagement, air defense, missile defense, and counter-UAS missions by inflicting thermal or structural damage to adversary assets.
BACKGROUND
The Tactical High-Energy Laser, or THEL, was a laser developed for military use, also known as the Nautilus laser system. The mobile version is the Mobile Tactical High-Energy Laser, or MTHEL. In 1996, the United States and Israel entered into an agreement to produce a cooperative THEL called the Demonstrator, which would utilize deuterium fluoride chemical laser technologies. In 2000 and 2001, THEL shot down 28 Katyusha artillery rockets and five artillery shells. On November 4, 2002, THEL shot down an incoming artillery shell. The prototype weapon was roughly the size of six city buses, made up of modules that held a command center, radar and a telescope for tracking targets, the chemical laser itself, fuel and reagent tanks, and a rotating mirror to reflect its beam toward speeding targets. It was discontinued in 2005.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- HEL
- Laser Weapon System
- Directed Energy Weapon
- Laser weapon
- Beam weapon
USAGE NOTE
HELs are being developed and deployed for various defense applications, offering advantages like speed-of-light engagement and a low cost per shot.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to High Energy Laser.
A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company that develops and manufactures high energy laser systems for air, ground, and sea platforms, including the HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance) system for the U.S. Navy.
A major defense contractor developing high-energy laser weapons systems for various military applications, including air defense, counter-UAS, and C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) missions.
A leading global aerospace and defense technology company focused on advanced high-energy laser systems, including solid-state lasers for integration onto various platforms.
Known for its defense, space, and security divisions, Boeing is involved in developing directed energy systems, including high energy lasers for missile defense and other applications.
Develops a range of advanced technologies for defense, including high-power electromagnetics and high-energy laser systems for air, land, and sea applications.
A scientific research organization operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command that conducts research in various areas, including high-energy laser technology for air and space applications.
An agency of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military, funding and managing programs related to high-energy lasers and directed energy weapons.
A global defense, aerospace, and security company that invests in research and development of future weapon systems, including advanced directed energy and high-energy laser technologies.