Space Technology is the birthplace of many exciting, leading-edge laser and beam control technologies that hold tremendous promise for our nation?s defense. Our laser scientists and engineers are working on the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser Program (JHPSSL) Phase 3 to scale a solid state laser to the 100 kW power level.  Our technical staff is supported by an infrastructure unique in our industry, including the Directed Energy Production Facility, a specialized facility established exclusively for system integration and production of high-energy laser systems for military uses.  The facility is the first of its kind built by private industry in the United States.
 
We turn ideas into designs and designs into products that meet the rigorous demands of our customers. We have extensive laboratories for optical fabrication and test, as well as clean rooms, vacuum chambers and related equipment for space simulation, calibration and performance testing of lasers ranging in power from watts to megawatts. Our precision metrology lab is unique in its ability to characterize the performance of high-energy laser optics.

Our expertise in solid-state lasers and chemical lasers is unmatched.  Multiple development efforts are ongoing for high-power, solid-state lasers, notably the JHPSSL, the Strategic Illuminator Laser Program (SILL), and our in-house development of Vesta.  NGST development in solid-state lasers has resulted in demonstrating a power level of 27 kW; we have also demonstrated 19 kW with a beam quality of 1.7 that was a world record for brightness.  More recently with our Vesta solid-state laser we have demonstrated indefinite run time at a power level of 15 kW, and a beam quality of <1.3; and we are currently scaling to the 100kW power level.  In addition to our solid-state and chemical laser efforts, we have extensive on-going development efforts in Beam Control and high power Fiber Lasers.
 
Starting in 2000 and continuing today, Space Technology has developed the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL), an end-to-end laser weapon system that has demonstrated the ability to acquire, track and shoot down rockets,  artillery, and mortar shells. We?re currently developing the MW-class laser segment for the Airborne Laser Program (ABL), destined to provide the world?s first laser ballistic missile defense system. And we?re moving forward, taking our THEL capability onto a mobile platform.

Whether it?s for homeland security, U.S military applications, or for aiding our allies, Northrop Grumman?s lasers are well suited to advanced applications from land, sea, air and space.

For more information, contact Directed Energy Systems.