TRW Awarded $21.3 Million Department of Defense Contract to Develop High-Power Solid-State Laser

TRW
has received a $21.3 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory
to develop an electrically powered solid-state laser that puts out
25-kilowatts of laser beam power. The award is part of the Joint High-Power
Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) program that targets demonstration of the laser by
the end of 2004.

Military planners see the program as a step on the path to solid-state
laser weapons that could be mounted on manned or unmanned aircraft, ships, or
ground vehicles. Solid-state lasers simplify the logistics of installing and
managing high-energy laser weapons systems.

“This program will open the door to many new military applications for
high-energy lasers, ranging from electronic warfare tasks such as blinding or
destruction of enemy sensors to air defense or ship self-defense,” said Jackie
Gish, TRW director of directed energy technology and products. “TRW looks
forward to developing these applications.”

Gish added that the JHPSSL program will leverage the substantial research
and development in solid-state lasers TRW has conducted for the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Air Force and various other government
and commercial enterprises as well as TRW’s substantial investment of
discretionary resources. In addition, she noted, TRW’s commercial ventures in
solid-state lasers provide strong experience in packaging and production of
solid-state lasers.

The JHPSSL program calls for the demonstration of a 25-kilowatt
solid-state laser with good beam quality. Beam quality is a measure of how
efficiently a laser can deliver power on its target.

TRW Space & Electronics is a world leader with more than 30 years
experience in the development of high-energy lasers including the Mobile
Tactical High-Energy Laser (MTHEL) testbed, built for the U.S. Army and
Israeli Ministry of Defense, and the Airborne Laser for the DoD’s Missile
Defense Agency. TRW provides advanced-technology products and services for
the aerospace, systems and automotive markets. Company news releases can be
found at http://www.trw.com.