US Army eyes truck-mounted laser

The US Army is developing a truck-mounted laser weapon to destroy rockets,artillery shells and mortars.Aerospace giant Boeing has been awarded a contract to start on the first phase of the project-designing a control system for the laser beam.The solid state laser weapon would eventually be mounted on a 10-tonne, eight-wheel-drive tactical truck.The American military has several programmes underway to develop battlefield lasers.
Under the Phase I contract,worth $7m (£3m),Boeing will develop a preliminary design for a "rugged beam control system" to be used on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT). The control system is needed to accurately point and focus a laser beam on an enemy target.The objective of the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator(HEL TD)programme is to demonstrate that a mobile,solid state laser can effectively counter rockets,shells and mortars.
To read more go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6917041.stm
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