Northrop Grumman Begins Work on Dedicated Facility for High-Energy, Solid-State Laser System Integration and Production

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Aug. 2, 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), moving quickly to consolidate its recent achievements in solid-state lasers, has begun constructing a dedicated facility for system integration work and low-rate production of high-energy lasers for military weapon systems.

The 11,000 sq. ft. Directed Energy Production Facility at the Space Technology sector's Space Park campus has been specifically designed for high-energy lasers and weapon system applications. The first application will be the Joint High-Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 3 program, where a laser power of 100 kW will be demonstrated. Other lasers and weapon systems the company is proposing also will be produced in this facility.
"Northrop Grumman is on track to be the first ever to build and demonstrate a 100 kW electric laser," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "This facility demonstrates our tremendous confidence in the potential for laser weapons to transform the way our nation maintains peace."
Renovations to an existing building are expected to be completed near the end of 2006. Most of the facility will consist of a high-power laser development area, where lasers of much greater than 100 kW will be produced and tested, along with other space to integrate electric lasers onto various military platforms, such as armored combat vehicles. The facility, a class-10,000 clean room and specifically designed for laser safety, also will house two solid-state laser "sub-labs" for work on vital system components.
"This facility demonstrates Northrop Grumman's commitment to world-class, high-power laser development and production," said Mike McVey, vice president of Directed Energy Systems. "We are the world leader in high-power, excellent beam quality laser systems. This facility is testament to our long-term commitment to excellence in this arena."
Northrop Grumman Space Technology, based in Redondo Beach, Calif., has been developing and demonstrating high-energy lasers for more than 30 years.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.

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What y'all think about this?
I think it's pretty cool that we're (the world in general) finally progressing towards "Star Wars".

A prototype of their weapon was found on the internet.

Bwahahah!

Someone beat them to it. Blastech Inc of Starwars fame.

Ｕｎｉｎｈａｂｉｔｅｄ Ｃｏｎｂａｔ Ａｉｒ Ｖｅｈｉｃｌｅ with Laser system.
Glunder Air Industry

Damn...this thread isnt going like i thought it would

However...regarding the laser rifle....i think i read on strategypage (news section-not some sci-fi thread) that there already is a prototype -just not for killing...ill try to find a link.


...here it is (has a pic too)
http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/...s_20051130.asp

That laser rifle is actually safety for human life.
But,too expensive to be spread all around the world.
Next 100 years,Sons of Kharashnikov would be used all around the world.

Ｕｎｉｎｈａｂｉｔｅｄ Ｃｏｎｂａｔ Ａｉｒ Ｖｅｈｉｃｌｅ with Laser system.
Glunder Air Industry

You realize thats from a game right?.

You realize the Blastech and the laser dolphin are fiction, too....right?

Originally Posted by moving0target

You realize the Blastech and the laser dolphin are fiction, too....right?

Then what the heck are we spending all that money on?