Future battlefields could see laser use

Land January 17, 2017

Scientists at BAE Systems believe that a new type of directed energy laser and lens system (the Laser Developed Atmospheric Lens) could be in use on battlefields within the next 50 years.

The system allows commanders enhanced observation of adversaries activities, over much greater distances than existing systems. The system could also be used to form a ‘deflector shield’, protecting friendly aircraft, ships, land vehicles and troops from high power laser weapons that are also likely to become a reality within the same time frame.

Developed by technologists at BAE’s military aircraft facility in Warton, Lancashire, the Laser system (LDAL) has recently been tested and evaluated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and specialist optical sensors company LumOptica.

LDAL is a complex and innovative concept based on known science, it works by simulating naturally occurring phenomena and temporarily – and reversibly – changes the Earth’s atmosphere into lens-like structures to magnify or change the path of electromagnetic waves such as light and radio signals. Working similar to desert mirages where the light from the blue sky is ‘bent’ or refracted by the hot air near the surface and into the vision of the person looking into the distance and the Earth’s ionosphere which can be reflective to radio waves.

Using a high pulsed power laser system, LDAL exploits a physics phenomena called the ‘Kerr Effect’ to temporarily ionise or heat a small region of atmosphere in a structured way.

“Working with some of the best scientific minds in the UK, we’re able to incorporate emerging and disruptive technologies and evolve the landscape of potential military technologies in ways that, five or ten years ago, many would never have dreamed possible,” said Professor Nick Colosimo, BAE Systems’ Futurist and Technologist.

Professor Bryan Edwards, Leader of STFC’s Defence, Security and Resilience Futures Programme said of the work: “For this evaluation project, STFC’s Central Laser Facility team worked closely with colleagues at BAE Systems and by harnessing our collective expertise and capabilities we have been able to identify new ways in which cutting edge technology, and our understanding of fundamental physical processes and phenomena, has the potential to contribute to enhancing the safety and security of the UK.”

Craig Stacey, CEO at LumOptica added: “This is a tremendously exciting time in laser physics. Emerging technologies will allow us to enter new scientific territories and explore ever new applications. We are delighted to be working with BAE Systems on the application of such game-changing technologies, evaluating concepts which are approaching the limits of what is physically possible and what might be achieved in the future.”

Watch a video of the system here.

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BAE Systems battlefields laser laser weapons LDAL LumOptica STFC