FIRESTRIKE
FIRESTRIKE |
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Type |
Solid State Laser |
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Place of origin |
United States |
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Production history |
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Manufacturer |
Northrop Grumman |
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Unit cost |
? |
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Specifications |
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Weight |
400 lb (181 kg) |
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Length |
23" |
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Width |
12" |
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Height |
40" |
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The FIRESTRIKE (also known as JHPSSL) laser,[1] introduced by Northrop Grumman on November 13, 2008, is purportedly the first combat-ready solid-state laser weapon. FIRESTRIKE is a 15 kW modular laser "building block" which can be combined with other systems for specific missions, or 7 more FIRESTRIKEs for a single 100 kW laser.[2] Bundled with Northrop Grumman's own LCSA power supply, the FIRESTRIKE can fire continuously as long as power and cooling are maintained.
Features
Type |
Description |
Power |
15 kW Laser |
Beam Quality |
Nominally 1.5 times the diffraction limit |
Size |
Laser head - 12" x 23"x 40" (width, depth, height) Current source - 9" x 13" x 30" |
Runtime |
Continuous, as long as power and coolant are provided |
Power-on Time |
Zero to full power in less than 1/2 second |
Safety |
Remote operation, customer interlock access, internal safety sensors |
Control |
Common Command and Control (C2) systems and Ethernet interfaces |
Low Power Setting |
Provides nominally 100 watt alignment beam |
Weight |
400 lbs per LRU |
Ruggedization |
Hardened LRUs with compact SSL technology engineered for mobility and field operations |
References
- ↑ "Northrop Grumman Press Release". Retrieved 2008-11-13.
- ↑ "The Register Press Release". Retrieved 2008-11-14.