Naval Tactical Laser Energy System Development

25/07/2011 by Armed Forces International's Defence Correspondent

Defence/aerospace giants Boeing and BAE Systems are set to work together to produce new maritime laser energy technology.

The two firms will collaborate on the Mk 38 Mod 2 Tactical Laser System which will equip US Navy vessels for defense purposes.

Four months ago, BAE Systems won a preliminary naval Tactical Laser System contract, requiring it to construct a single prototype. Now, Boeing has entered the equation as a subcontractor.

The MK 38 Mod 2 Machine Gun System (MGS) is a de facto naval standard system, with over 90 examples in current use with operators including the US Navy. It encompasses a laser range-finder, an electronic optical sight and other features but, when upgraded to TLS status, it'll gain an advanced solid-state laser weapon module.

Naval Tactical Laser

This will allow the naval tactical laser to perform accurate strikes against both air and seaborne targets, including small vessels and UAVs, and a key feature will be the ability to vary the amount of laser energy used, in line with exact mission requirements.

BAE Systems' and Boeing's joint MK 38 Mod 2 TLS work dates back to 2009.

Last year, the US firm's DES (Directed Energy Systems) division performed a pair of technology trials. These showed that the system could successfully follow targets and keep its laser pointed with a high degree of accuracy.

Tactical Laser Energy System

"Boeing is committed to developing this directed energy system that will significantly enhance ship defense", Vice President of Boeing Directed Energy Systems, Michael Rinn, explained in a 25 July company press release. "Combining BAE's engineering expertise with the proven directed-energy proficiency of Boeing's DES division creates a team uniquely qualified to integrate directed-energy technology into the Navy's shipboard armaments."

"The Mk 38 Mod 2 system is revolutionary because it combines kinetic and directed energy weapons capability", he added.

"Our approach is an affordable solution for the customer, because this system can be integrated seamlessly into existing shipboard command interfaces."

Almost exactly a year ago, Armed Forces International reported on the joint Boeing/US Army truck-mounted high energy laser development programme. This technology, once in service, is set to give US Army troops the ability to carry out ultra-precise 186,000 mph laser beam strikes.