recent developments and current projects in hel technology: harro ackermann - hel-jto
TRANSCRIPT
High Energy Laser
Joint Technology Office (HEL-JTO)
Recent Developments and Current
Projects in HEL Technology
February 2012
Cleared for Public Release, 377ABW-2011-1103
Outline
• Introduction to HEL-JTO
• JTO Technology Thrusts
• JTO Major Projects
• Service Programs
• Summary
High Energy Lasers (HEL)
Attributes
• Precision engagement at a distance
• Low collateral damage
• Re-usable
• Less than lethal through lethal effects
System Level Challenges
• Compact, light-weight, and rugged systems
• Sufficient power on target
• System reliability
• Cost effectiveness / alternatives
HEL Target Effects
• Jam/spoof or destroy optical sensors
• Thermal damage
HEL Science &Technology
Challenges
High-Power Lasers
• Thermal management for solid-state lasers
• Eye-safer wavelengths and development of novel gain media
• Advanced processing and characterization of ceramics
• Short-pulse (femtosecond) phenomena
Beam Control
• Aim-point maintenance, precision tracking, and jitter control
• Propagation through turbulent atmosphere, through boundary layers, and in maritime environment
• Windows, coatings and active optics
HEL Lethality, Modeling & Simulation
• Accurate prediction of lethality for future systems
• Battle damage assessment
• Detailed end-to-end physics and system level models
Opportunities
High-Power Lasers
• Efficient and reliable diode-arrays, high brightness diodes
• High-power fibers
• Beam combination of multiple high-power fibers
• New ceramic materials
• Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers
Beam Control
• Advanced adaptive optics
• Advanced disturbance mitigation schemes
• Phased arrays
HEL-JTO Formation
• FY00 National Defense
Authorization Act request to
develop laser plan
• FY00 High Energy Laser
Executive Review Panel
chartered
Report of the
High Energy Laser
Executive Review Panel
Department of Defense
Laser Master Plan
March 24, 2000
JTO Charter:
• Advocate HEL technology
development for DoD
• Coordinate among the Services
and Agencies
• Develop technology investment
strategy for DoD
• Manage a portfolio of
government/industry/academia
R&D projects
A Coordinated Approach for
HEL Weapons System Development
HEL-JTO Organization
Army
Representative
Executive Assistant/
Network/DE2AC
Air Force
Representative
Tech Area,
Contracts Monitor
Technology Council S&T Executives
(Army,Navy, AF,
MDA, DARPA, DTRA)
Tech Area,
Contracts Monitor
Tech Area,
Contracts Monitor
Technology Area Working Groups
Contractor
Technical and
Administrative
Support
ASD (R&E) •Operational
Oversight Air Force S&T
Executive •Admin
Oversight
AFRL/RD
Support
•Contracting
•Financial
•Public Affairs
•Security
Director
Navy
Representative
MDA
DARPA
Approved for Public Release
Budget/Finance
Fire Control
Wavefront
Sensor
Heat
Heat Heat
Atmospheric Propagation - Thermal Blooming - Turbulence
Laser Devices - Solid State - Gas - Free Electron
Beam Control
Effects
Power Conditioning
Beam Conditioning & Adaptive Optics
Th
erm
al M
an
ag
em
en
t Beam
Combining
Example: Solid
State Laser
Pointing
Illuminator
Laser-Target
Interaction
Engagement & System Modeling
Windows &
Mirrors
HEL-JTO Technology Thrust Area
Advanced
Concepts
Approved for Public Release
Elements of a Practical Laser
for Military Applications
• Scalability (mission requirements)
• Efficiency (size and weight)
• Beam Quality (gain media thermal
control/correction, propagation)
• Simplicity (logistics, packaging)
• Robustness (reliability)
•Wavelength (collateral eye safety,
diffraction effects, atmospheric
propagation)
•System thermal management
•Platform integration
Outline
• Introduction to HEL-JTO
• JTO Technology Thrusts
• JTO Major Projects
• Service Programs
• Summary
Solid State Laser Thrust Area
• Advantages
– All electric - logistically friendly
– Smaller, lighter
– Good propagation window at 1 micron; eyesafer wavelengths
available
• Opportunities
– High power fibers
– Combination of multiple fibers
– Ceramic gain material
• Challenges:
– Efficient, reliable and very bright diode arrays
– Increase power without thermal distortions
– Efficiency
Solid State Laser Portfolio
• High power fibers
• Beam combining techniques
• High Power Fiber Components
Fiber
Dielectric Edge Mirrors (DEMs)
Beam Combiner Stacked Oscillators
Er-doped PCF High Power
Laser Fiber
Fusion Spliced All-Fiber Isolator
•Ceramic gain materials
•Eye safer wavelength (slabs and fibers)
•Efficient and High Temperature diode arrays
10%Yb:Lu2O3 ceramic
Emission of lasers in the eye-
safe wavelength range and
atmospheric transmission
VCSEL Array
assembled on
Patterned
Surface
Composite Heat
Spreader
Solid State Laser Portfolio
Gas Laser Thrust Area
• Advantages
– Can scale to VERY high powers
• Opportunities
– Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPAL)
– Efficient Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Lasers (COIL)
• Challenges (DPAL):
– Narrow pump wavelength
– Flowing media
– Atmospheric Propagation
• Challenges (COIL):
– Logistics
– Efficiency and size
Gas Laser Portfolio
Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers
• Diode Laser Pumped Alkali Vapor Lasers with Exciplex-
Assisted Absorption
• High Power Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers and Analog
Systems
• Three Dimensional, Time Dependent Simulation of Diode
Pumped Alkali Lasers
• Scaling of a Flowing Alkali Laser System
• Propagation Studies of Alkali Lasers
Visualization of a previous flowing DPAL
simulation
12”-telescope & tunable diode laser
absorption spectrometer to study alkali laser
wavelengths
Gas Laser Portfolio
Chemical Oxygen Iodine Lasers
• Catalytic Enhancement of Singlet Oxygen Yield and Small
Signal Gain in EOIL Systems
• High Pressure COIL
• Very High Flux, High Efficiency COIL for Improved Specific
Power
Counter Flow SOG
Reduced laser weight and volume
Free Electron Laser Thrust
• Advantages
• Tunable wavelength for
maritime propagation
• Shipboard protection against
asymmetric threat
• No hazardous gases or
chemicals
• Opportunities
• All electric ship integration
• Megawatt potential
• Challenges
• Injectors and Cathodes
• High Intensity Optical
Components
• Efficient wiggler
Free Electron Laser Portfolio
• Evaluation of Advanced Photocathodes for
High Current Injectors
• Efficient Photocathodes with Current
Amplification for High Power FELs
• FEL Injector Technology
• Ring Resonator FEL
wiggler
Near-concentric
Near-confocal
Ring-near-confocal
Free Electron Laser Portfolio
• Investigation of Longitudinal Space Charge
• Novel FEL Cavity Optic
• Optimization of FEL System Wall-Plug Efficiency
beam power
back to RF
DC power
(magnets)
beam power
out of RF
RF, cryo
power
e- source, RF,
cryo power
FEL power out
beam power into dump
Beam Control Thrust Area
• Challenges
– Platform Jitter
– Atmospheric
disturbances
– High Power
Optics/Coatings
– Aimpoint detection
and maintenance
– Aero-optic
disturbance
• Opportunities
– Advanced algorithms
– High speed, very
dense deformable
mirrors
– Wavefront sensors
Mission: Efficiently transmit very high optical
power from a laser source on a dynamic
platform into a small spot on a distant
dynamic target
Beam Control Components &
Subsystems
Beam Control
Aero-optics Characterization & Modeling
Atmospheric Characterization & Modeling
Beam
Generation Beam
Sizing
Maintenance/Safety/Diagnostics
Target
Atmosphere
WFOV
Sensing
Acquisition
Illuminator
Beam Wavefront Correction
Beam Path Conditioning
Beam Alignment, Positioning, & Inertial Stabilization
Wavefront Sensing Track Sensing
Track Illuminator Beacon Illuminator
Beam Sampling
& Sharing Beam
Sizing
Beam
Pointing Beam
Expansion
Algorithms & Processing Algorithms & Processing
Performance Diagnostics
Infrastructure
Platform Motion
Sensor
Noise
Beam Control Portfolio
• Propagation Studies
• Algorithm Development
• Advanced Adaptive Optics
• Focal Plane Arrays
• Integrated Demonstrations
• Light Weight Beam Director
• Novel Concept Exploration
• Too “Risky”(or too Hard) for Other Thrusts
• Includes:
• Advanced Materials
• Beam Combination
• Novel Architectures
Advanced Concepts Thrust
Advanced Concepts Portfolio
• Passive Phasing Analysis
• Large Linewidth Spectral Beam
Combining
• Gradient Doped Ceramic Laser
Gain Media
• Hollow-core Fiber Laser
• 2-D VCSEL Pump
• A Liquid Crystal Spatial Light
Modulator
• Holographic Adaptive Laser
Optics Systems
H Detector
Input Output
DM
Advanced Concepts Portfolio
• Rare-Earth Doped
Sapphire Laser
• Obscuration-Free Phase
Locking of HEL Tiled
Fiber Array
• Anti-Reflective Surface
Structures
• Coherent Beam using
Diffractive Optical
Elements Laser
Array Beam
SamplerDOEOutput
Beam
Output
Coupler
Transform
Lens
Phase controller Detector
Modeling & Simulation Thrust Area
Develop tools to support the HEL
community
The application of well grounded
science to HEL research and
development. Focusing on the
development and support of
computational tools
Science and
Engineering
Military Utility
The investigation of the military
worth of future tactical HEL
systems, employment methods and
supporting decision aids.
Representations of HEL in current
and future DoD Models.
Integrated Seamless combination of
engineering
performance/analysis modeling
& simulation tools with
computational warfighter
support tools
Lethality Thrust Area
• Analysis and Test to Determine Lethal Capability of Lasers – Full Scale Tests performed
– Tools and Diagnostics for the HEL community
– Laser Beam Diagnostic Software and Hardware
– Laser Vulnerability Tool (LVT) – Communications to Government and
Industry
• Laser Lethality Knowledge Base (LLKB)
120mm Mortar
Outline
• Introduction to HEL-JTO
• JTO Technology Thrusts
• JTO Major Projects
• Service Programs
• Summary
• Build on JHPSSL and Joint Program successes
• Substantially improve system efficiency
• Combine laser performance goals with size,
weight, ruggedization and affordability goals
Robust Electric Laser Initiative
(RELI) - Motivation
Joint HEL-JTO, Army and Air Force
Program with Navy interest
29
Power Supply
(Platform Dependent) Adaptive
Optics
Beam
Director
Solid-State
Laser
Amplifier
Laser Diode
Array
Thermal Management System
(Platform Dependent)
RELI
RELI: Robust, Fieldable Laser System
Tailorable to desired platform
Efficient, lightweight, small, affordable
Push towards Common Goal: Robust, Fieldable, Tailorable Electric Laser
RELI will focus on laser efficiency and beam quality and minimizing weight and
volume. It will not develop TMS or power production and conditioning
technology.
RELI Performance Metrics
• Performance analyzed & measured in three critical areas: • Laser Metric – Power in the Bucket Efficiency (PIBE)
– Power, Efficiency and Beam Quality
– Analyze Phase 1; Full Demo Phase 2
• Physical Metric – Power/Weight
– Power/Volume
– Analyze Phase 1; Partial Demo Phase 2
• Fieldability Metric (i.e. Temp, Vibration, Dust)
– Based on Anticipated Environments
– Analyze Phase 1; Partial Demo Phase 2
Scalability Scalable to 100kW Minimum
Technical Justification
Risk Reduction
Laser EO Efficiency Bucket
Electric Available
Photons Out
Approved for Public Release
RELI Summary
• The ROBUST ELECTRIC LASER INITIATIVE will lead to rugged efficient
technology coupling well with DARPA and other DoD initiatives
– Provides options for light weight, militarily useful, high power laser systems
• Revised laser metric best represents operational requirements
– Allows contractors more flexibility in system design
• Natural JHPSSL follow-on of sources for next generation programs:
– Army: High Energy Laser-Technology Demonstrator
– Air Force: Electric Laser on a Large Aircraft
– Navy: TACAIR Future Naval Capability
Approved for Public Release
Outline
• Introduction to HEL-JTO
• JTO Technology Thrusts
• JTO Major Projects
• Service Programs
• Summary
Approved for Public Release
33
“Secure the High Ground”
Army Solid State Laser Testbed
Experiment (SSLTE)
33
Objective: Perform Near-Term Demonstrations Using the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) Beam Control System and the JHPSSL Device at the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF)
• Provides Early Field Experiment Capability to
Further SSL Technology Development
• Enables Mission Area Assessment Decisions and
Allows Exploration of Best Application for HELs
• Leverages Existing Assets to Provide Early High
Power Risk Reduction Testing for Planned HEL TD
• Establishes a SSL Testbed at HELSTF for
Continued Test and Evaluation Operations by the
Army and DoD
JHPSSL
Device
THEL
BCS
34
“Secure the High Ground”
Modularity/Open
Architecture Allows for
Expansion to Future Force
Deployable, Mobile, More
Self Sustaining Lethal
Capability
Provides Joint Service
Force Protection (Area)
Weapon Capability
Solid State Laser
Technologies Scalable to
Combat Vehicles (Small
Unit Protection)
High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator
Weapons System Development
10022008CG-AUSA001b
Fire Unit
External
Sensor
BMC4I
Potential Secondary Mission:
Surveillance / Target
Demonstrate in a Relevant Operational Environment at HELSTF that a
Mobile Solid State Laser Weapon System can Provide an Effective
Mission Capability to Counter Rocket, Artillery, And Mortar Projectiles.
Capable of Operating in a
Full Spectrum, Networked/
Information Based
Battlefield Environment
Navy Laser Weapon System
Test Results
• Naval Sea Systems
Command (NAVSEA),
with support from Naval
Surface Warfare Center
(NSWC) Dahlgren
executed LaWS testing in
June 2009 & June 2010
• Successfully tracked,
engaged, and destroyed
in flight UAVs at NAWC
China Lake and San
Nicholas Island
• Nine targets total were
engaged and destroyed
in progressively
challenging tests
Maritime Laser Demonstration
(MLD)
Maritime Laser Demonstration
Existing MLD Prototype at NG/Space Park
FIRST SUCCESSFUL LASER
WEAPON LETHALITY
DEMONSTRATION FROM US
NAVY SURFACE SHIP
(APRIL 2011)
NAVY SDTS
HEL
JTO SMDC
MLD INSTALLED ON
USS PAUL FOSTER
DD-964
Summary
• Comprehensive JTO portfolio advancing the state of the art in
HEL technologies
• RELI – will develop efficient, light weight laser sources
• HEL Demonstrations & Service Initiatives
– JHPSSL Integration at HELSTF – Army
– HEL TD – Army
– Airborne Laser ‘Shoot-down’ – Missile Defense Agency
– Laser Weapon System-Navy
– Maritime Self-Defense – Navy
An Exciting Time for High Energy Laser
Technology Advancement