Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



Testing Moves Navy Closer to Lasers for Ship Self-Defense
Source: US Navy

ARLINGTON, Va. --- BAE Systems has received a contract valued at $2.8 million from the U.S. Navy to demonstrate a Tactical Laser System (TLS) that can be integrated with existing U.S. Navy gun mounts.

The TLS couples a solid-state high-energy laser with the weapons module to provide extremely precise targeting and counter-material disabling effects. The system also provides the ability to deliver scalable effects by varying the level of laser energy required, depending on the target and mission objectives.

“The Tactical Laser System provides a 21st century-directed energy weapon system with speed-of-light precision effects against surface threats,” said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Weapon Systems for BAE Systems.

“The TLS is revolutionary because it combines kinetic and directed energy weapons capability,” said Signorelli. “Our approach is an effective and affordable solution for the customer, because this system can be integrated into existing shipboard mounts.”
BAE Systems intends to collaborate with Boeing Directed Energy Systems, located in Albuquerque N.M. for the development of the Tactical Laser System.

BAE Systems will display the Tactical Laser System in booth #1419 at the Navy League Sea Air Space Exposition April 11-13 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.


BAE Systems Selected to Demonstrate Tactical Laser System for the U.S. Navy
Source: BAE Systems

ARLINGTON (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research and its industry partner marked a milestone for the Navy by successfully testing a solid-state, high-energy laser (HEL) from a surface ship, which disabled a small target vessel, April 6.

"The success of this high-energy laser test is a credit to the collaboration, cooperation and teaming of naval labs at Dahlgren, China Lake, Port Hueneme and Point Mugu, Calif.," said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr. "ONR coordinated each of their unique capabilities into one cohesive effort."

The latest test occurred near San Nicholas Island, off the coast of Central California in the Pacific Ocean test range. The laser was mounted onto the deck of the Navy's self-defense test ship, former USS Paul Foster (DD 964).

Carr also recognized the Office of the Secretary of Defense's High Energy Joint Technology Office, and the Army's Joint High Powered Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) program for their work. MLD leverages the Army's JHPSSL effort.

"This is the first time a HEL, at these power levels, has been put on a Navy ship, powered from that ship and used to defeat a target at-range in a maritime environment," said Peter Morrison, ONR MLD program officer.

In just slightly more than two-and-a-half years, the MLD has gone from contract award to demonstrating a Navy ship defensive capability, he said.

"We are learning a ton from this program—how to integrate and work with directed energy weapons," Morrison said. "All test results are extremely valuable regardless of the outcome."

Additionally, the Navy accomplished several other benchmarks, including integrating MLD with a ship's radar and navigation system, and firing an electric laser weapon from a moving platform at-sea in a humid environment. Other tests of solid state lasers for the Navy have been conducted from land-based positions.

Having access to a HEL weapon will one day provide warfighter with options when encountering a small-boat threat, Morrison said.

While the MLD test proves the ability to use a scalable laser to thwart small vessels at range, the technology will not replace traditional weapon systems, Carr added.

"From a science and technology point of view, the marriage of directed energy and kinetic energy weapon systems opens up a new level of deterrence into scalable options for the commander," said Carr. "This test provides an important data point as we move toward putting directed energy on warships. There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently."




Second Naval Battle of Narvik

Today marks the anniversary of the Second Naval Battle of Narvik


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1847 - Naval Forces begin a five-day battle to capture several towns in Mexico.
1861 - Fort Sumter surrenders to Confederate forces.
1960 - The Navy's navigation satellite, Transit, is placed into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Fla., and demonstrates ability to launch another satellite.