Oct 5 2010
Northrop Grumman announced that the U.S. Navy has tested the Maritime Laser Demonstration (MLD) system at the Potomac River Test Range. The tests results affirmed that the laser weapon system was ready to progress with at-sea testing. The tests were conducted in August and September 2010.
The MLD system, functioning from a fixed place on the land, fired laser beam at numerous stationary targets. The laser beam emitted from the system passed burning through small boat sections. Northrop Grumman is building the MLD system for the Office of Naval Research, to demonstrate the laser weapon systems’ readiness to initiate evolution to the fleet to involve targets that challenge the existing defense systems.
Steve Hixson of the Aerospace Systems sector of Northrop Grumman stated that the MLD system is developed via various defense department projects, such as the Tactical High Energy Laser’s precision tracking system. The system features the solid-state laser technology obtained from the Joint High Power Solid State Laser program.
The tests were conducted at the Dahlgren division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, from where the Potomac River Test Range is operated. The tests are crucial, because the sensors and weapon systems function in a different manner over water, when compared to the land.
Source: http://www.northropgrumman.com/