General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced Friday that its lightweight, tactical laser weapon is ready for live-fire tests at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The 150-kilowatt high-energy liquid laser, or HELLADS, is designed to be used against incoming rockets, artillery shells and mortar rounds.
“HELLADS represents a new generation of tactical weapon systems with the potential to revolutionize sovereign defenses and provide a significant tactical advantage to our warfighters,” said Linden Blue, CEO of the Poway-based company. “It is remarkable to see high-power laser technology mature into an extremely compact weapons system and be deployed for field tests. It will be even more remarkable to witness the impact that this will have on U.S. defense capability.”
The HELLADS technology was developed in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which since 1958 has funded many ground-breaking advances in new technology.
“The technical hurdles were daunting, but it is extremely gratifying to have produced a new type of solid-state laser with unprecedented power and beam quality for its size,” said Rich Bagnell, DARPA program manager. “The HELLADS laser is now ready to be put to the test on the range against some of the toughest tactical threats our warfighters face.”
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely-piloted aircraft, including the Predator and Reaper series. Future versions of the laser weapon are being designed for use on aircraft.
