Pulsed Laser Lethal Disruption for Hypersonic Defense

Realization of successful defense against hypersonic threats is a strategically necessary, complex endeavor with technological and fiscal challenges that cannot be overcome using the current approach to missile defense. The large stresses encountered by hypersonic missiles provide opportunities to disrupt or disable a threat with well-placed disruptions in the threat’s environment. Without robust mitigating countermeasures, disruption of the hypersonic flowfield can lead to rapid deterioration of performance or mission kill, if not complete catastrophic failure. Single-shot, sub-second laser lethality provides extreme tactical advantages unachievable with continuous-wave (CW) directed energy weapons (DEWs) below the MW average power level. The DMS team is proposing development of a laser weapon system that is capable of initiating flow destabilization and damage/destruction of high-speed weapon systems using high intensity (multi-GW) pulsed laser beams delivered at the >100 kW average power level over short engagement times (10 kJ delivered during 0.1 sec bursts). The proposed program is presented here with a phased approach beginning with a proof-of-principle test campaign (TRL4) followed by a full program to address and overcome initial R&D challenges. The desired outcome of the program is demonstration of a system prototype in a relevant operational environment (TRL6).