The US Office of Naval Research has awarded Coherent Aerospace and Defense USD29.9 million for directed energy weapons research as part of the SONGBOW project. The initial development phase will run for 20 months, but with options to continue the programme through 2027,
SONGBOW envisages the development and deployment of a 400-kilowatt laser, which will require combining multiple 50-kilowatt pulsed fibre laser modules into a single, coherent beam. Laser targeting will be via an advanced beam control system that ensures accurate targeting even at long distances or during fast-moving engagements. SONGBOW is also being developed with land-based applications, according to multiple media reports.
For more information
https://www.coherent.com/aerospace-defense/directed-energy
(Image: Coherent)
