An Israeli-U.S. mobile laser system has destroyed its
first large-caliber rocket.
U.S. officials said the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser destroyed its
first rocket in a May 4 test at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range in
New Mexico. They termed the projectile destroyed as a large-caliber rocket
and larger than the Soviet-origin Katyusha.
Last week, the M-THEL conducted its first flight test. The high-energy
system tracked a rocket in flight, but did not try to destroy it, Middle East Newsline reported.
This was the first time the M-THEL, a project led by Northrop Grumman,
destroyed a rocket in field tests. The stationary THEL destroyed 122 mm
Katyusha rockets in tests in 2000 and 2001.
"The destruction of a new threat type once again demonstrates the
capability of the M-THEL testbed," Northrop Grumman's space technology
sector president Wes Bush said. "We are excited about the historic
accomplishments and we
are fully prepared to move to the next stage of building the M-THEL
prototype."
Neither officials nor Northrop Grumman identified the target projectile.
But Northrop Grumman said the target was a large-caliber rocket capable of
twice the range and more than three times the altitude than the Katyusha.
The M-THEL target also carried a much larger warhead than previous targets.
"Many countries already possess large-caliber rockets," Northrop Grumman
said in a statement. "The destroyed rocket is representative of threats
faced by U.S. and Israeli forces."
A video of the test showed the firing of the rocket, followed by the
M-THEL's pointer tracker system, in ready mode, tracking the target. The
M-THEL then directed a laser beam that struck the rocket, which seconds
later exploded.
Northrop Grumman built the M-THEL demonstrator for the U.S. Army and the
Israeli Defense Ministry. Officials said the
M-THEL would become the first tactical and mobile, directed-energy weapon
capable of shooting down rockets and other tactical targets.
The U.S. Army has drafted a $118 million budget for M-THEL development
from fiscal 2003 to 2007. Officials
said Israel would supplement the development program. The M-THEL testbed was
meant to destroy artillery shells, mortars, unmanned aerial vehicles,
short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface
munitions.
Development and production of the M-THEL testbed also included Elbit
Systems, Israel Aircraft Industries and Rafael, Israel Armament Development
Authority and Tadiran Electronic Systems.
