Burst Laser System for Standoff Mine Neutralization

"This Phase I program addresses a critical need for a safe and reliable means to neutralize from a distance of greater than 10 m all types of mines and munitions that might be encountered in a military mission such as route clearing or UXO disposal. Inparticular, the proposed innovative compact laser technology will access and neutralize buried landmines which are most troublesome. Current mine clearing laser systems such as the 0.5 -1.0 kW ZEUS system work effectively against surface laid mines butare under-powered to penetrate soils. The proposed burst laser system (BLS) will deliver over 10 kW for the duration of a mine neutralization sequence permitting drilling through soil and rapid mine neutralization of the buried mine. The higher laserpower in a compact mobile package will be achieved through use of innovative Nd:glass laser technology wherein large aperture glass rods are used in a power oscillator configuration. Burst operation allows the overall package size of the system to beconsiderably smaller than a continuous laser of the same output power. The Phase I effort will provide laser demonstrations of soil penetration for reaching and neutralizing a buried mine and a preliminary design of a vehicle-mounted BLS. The burst lasersystem (BLS) will provide a greatly enhanced capability for military services to implement rapid and safe mine clearing operations. The BLS will be cost-effective and will be made available for