HLONS
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HLONS stands for Humvee Laser Ordnance Neutralization System, which is a system mounted on Zeus humvees. HLONS uses a laser that fires a 10 kW solid-state laser from a humvee in an attempt to explode an explosive, such as an anti-tank mine or an anti-personnel mine from a safe distance in order to prevent it from harming the humvee.
The system was co-created by SPARTA Inc. and NAVEODTECHDIV (Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division).
[edit] Operation
HLONS uses two lasers to heat the metal casing of ordnance commonly used in Iraqi IEDs. One is a green laser used to designate the target. A joystick is used to control the laser and guide it to the target. The second laser, a high-powered, Neodinum YAG laser, heats up the target ordnance casing until the flash point of the explosives inside is reached, causing it to low or high order.
HLONS, in theory, would save EOD Technicians from being forced to approach a roaside bomb or other unexploded ordnance and explode it with convention explosives.
[edit] Military Use
HLONS enabled, Zeus Humvees have experienced use in two major campaigns. The Zeus Humvees were deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The system was successful in exploding more than 200 dangerous explosives.
The HLONS system was put in use again in Iraq during the Second Iraq War. Zeus Humvees are part of a three-vehicle convoy protection concept. However, there has been much difficulty in introducing it, because, despite its abilities, there are some who don't believe it is worth its pricetag.
The Zeus laser was tested and used in Iraq along MSR Tampa by a team of EOD soldiers from the 319th Ord Co (EOD), Tacoma, Washington in February and March of 2005. The HLONS(Zeus)was added into the Hunter/Killer Project in an attempt to integrate EOD and Engineer resources. The project illustrated the shortcomings of the system with Counter IED (C-IED) operations. Chief among the limitations of the system was the inability to penetrate concealment materials to heat the explosives inside the ordnance, and the tendency of non EOD personnel to utilize the HLONS on all ordnance even if doing so created a more dangerous situation.
