Laser Weapons
Wednesday 10th November 2010, 0900hrs–1030hrs
Chaired by Patrick Keyzer Small Laser Weapon System for Forward Operations from Light Unmanned Surface Vehicles, Alone or in Swarms Mr. Antonin Caors, Thales Group, France Driven by the automotive and consumer goods industries, fibre lasers reach a technological maturity enabling other fields of application. In the naval safety and security domain, it could be embedded onboard small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) to reach threats directly at the source. Small USVs can embark a 300kg laser weapon for an optical power of 30kW, to reach the last 500m from the target, possibly in coordination with other USVs operating in swarms on the same target. They would be given a task through the C2 target designation controlling the USV, and in return contribute to the situation awareness. For instance, Spartan is a modular, reconfigurable, multi-mission, high-speed, semi-autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of carrying payloads of 3,000 and 5,000 pounds for seven-and-11-meter craft, respectively. Integrated as an expeditionary sensor and weapons system designed to be a primary "force-leveller" against asymmetric threats, it enables a battle force commander to match inexpensive threats with an appropriate response. New Concepts of Operations (conops) are now open: special operations into the littoral zone piloted from the shore; littoral semaphore, surveillance pylons, and long range radars can now be reached and targeted. >From a defensive capability perspective, such USV-mounted laser weapons could contribute to the high value maritime assets protection, patrolling around oil rigs, civil or military harbours, or securing maritime commercial routes in dangerous locations. Safety Conditions implemented in a High Power Laser laboratory Dr Robin Marijon, Thales Group, France The usage of high power lasers in industries or in laboratories is not new. The first high power lasers have been operated in the late 80s, and subsequent safety conditions have been implemented ever since. What are they? As any laser, high power lasers are highly dangerous for the human eyes. In the assembly of a beam, laser radiation leaks can happen and this must be taken into account in the maintenance and testing processes. Furthermore, high power laser carry energy, generally to heat a target; if the beam hits a body part, the first effects would be burns at various levels, depending on the characteristics of the laser, its intensity, the duration of the exposure and the surface lit. The safety conditions implemented in the laboratories and factories are meant to prevent these hazards. In the design of a Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW), such issues must be tackled to ensure the safety of its operations, and the experience gathered in laboratories and factories will be highly valuable. Impact of Laser Weapons in Warships Architecture Mr. Denis Quiltu, DCNS, France Antoine Garreta, DCNS, France The most advanced concept of operations for Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEWs) allow for the replacement of parts of the classical guns onboard warships. It is worth to compare the constraints installation of these two kinds of weapons on board: weight, interface, power needed, ammunition needed, and maintenance. According to these characteristics, examples of possible LDEWs installation on warships will be presented, with the positive impact of these new weapons architecture: stability, safety, arc of fire, space and topside arrangement. It appears that the use of LDEWs leads to a significant improvement in the safety level onboard warships: with virtually no heavy ammunition left, several constraints on the ships design are nullified.
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Diamond Industry Patron
I met new people and learned about new technologies, policies and strategies.
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Commander Graeme Roger
Director, Major projects, Maritime HQ, Royal Australian Navy
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