The Threat Stops Here
Air defense threats are a serious problem. The growing list of proliferating threats includes short range rockets, artillery projectiles, ballistic missiles, UAVs, air-to-ground munitions, and cruise missiles.

Countering short range and late-detection threats with confidence requires a terminal defense system that is fast, accurate and capable of close-in kills with no collateral damage to friendly assets. It requires a system that can engage and kill threats with high kill probability and a deep magazine; that is easy to reload and therefore can fire almost continuously.

It demands the speed-of-light defense of a laser.

Laser Defense Systems Have Come of Age
The Tactical High Energy Laser Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (THEL ACTD) was designed and built by a Northrop Grumman-led team.  Now being used as the THEL Test Bed, THEL has been proving laser defense system capability since June 2000, when it began shooting down Katyusha rockets singly and in salvos.

From the earliest days of modern warfare, the only way to escape an incoming artillery shell has been to find a bunker. In late 2002, the THEL Test Bed made history when, in a remarkably short time, the system was upgraded and began shooting down artillery shells in flight. In only a few days of testing, THEL shot down multiple projectiles, highlighting its potential to change the nature of warfare as it continues to engage new threat types.

This remarkable success was made possible by Northrop Grumman’s disciplined approach to design, integration and testing of this revolutionary system. THEL does not depend on exotic or unproven technologies. It was designed from the beginning as an operational laser weapon demonstrator, not a “white coat laboratory system.” The result: it’s real and it works – after nearly four years of field operations, and after shooting down dozens of threats, it continues to operate reliably, engaging new threats it was not originally designed to engage.

For more information, contact Directed Energy Systems.