Northrop Grumman Matures Laser Threat Terminator Technology to Address Emerging Threats

October 24, 2012 defpro.com

APOPKA, Fla. | Northrop Grumman Corporation has matured the technology for enhancing the capabilities of its All Semiconductor Airborne Laser Threat Terminator (ASALTT) product line, developed to defeat both current and emerging IR threats. The ASALTT is an advanced technology quantum cascade laser-based mid-infrared laser designed and developed to protect a wide variety of aircraft including fixed-wing and rotor aircraft, whether based on land or at sea.

Since achieving Technology Readiness Level-6 compliance earlier this year, ASALTT systems have participated in multiple field and lab tests. These tests have proven the product line to be successful in countering a variety of threats, including current and advanced scenarios. This is a significant milestone for the ASALTT platform, paving the way for continued collaborative work closing capability gaps for the warfighter.

The ASALTT line offers a variety of opto-mechanical and environmentally stable laser systems designed to defeat enemy threats, taking advantage of the most advanced laser technologies currently available from government, industry and academia. Designed with infrared countermeasures in mind, the modular architecture also provides for the utilization of key subsystems into adjacent markets, such as covert markers and pointers.

ASALTT will allow the warfighter to remain highly effective and mission capable, no matter the situation or threat encountered. This upgradeable laser system supports the expansion of mission profiles as they develop for future concepts of operation and associated system platforms.

"With the safety of the warfighter in mind, it is imperative that we continue to think beyond today's requirements," said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems business unit. "ASALTT is more than just new technology. It enables users to solve multiple critical problems with one solution."

ASALTT's modular open system architecture is flexible and scalable to customer specifications and requirements. These characteristics are key to controlling total cost of ownership while maintaining the ability to encounter the next generation of threat possibilities. Taking advantage of advancements in laser sources, combining techniques and co-alignment techniques, ASALTT is an agile platform that provides advanced capabilities across a wide range of technologies and applications.

Northrop Grumman is one of the world's leading manufacturers of military electro-optical (EO) targeting systems. These include ground-based (man-portable, handheld and vehicle-mounted) EO imaging/ranging systems for target location, laser designators/markers for precise guidance of smart munitions, and airborne laser rangefinders and designators fielded onboard many of the world's most sophisticated manned and unmanned aircraft.