Boeing thin disk solid state laser efficiently reach 30 kilowatts of power showing readiness for battlefield lasers

The Boeing Thin Disk Laser system integrates a series of high-power industrial lasers to generate one concentrated, high-energy beam, exceeded required thresholds for power and beam quality during a demonstration for the Department of Defense’s Robust Electric Laser Initiative (RELI) effort.

The high-power, solid-state laser system output reached more than 30 kilowatts – nearly 30 percent more power than RELI requirements – while simultaneously measuring excellent efficiency.

The demonstrations were the first time the Boeing system simultaneously achieved high beam quality at high power. Combining these two factors results in a measure of brightness, and the brightness measured by the Boeing system is among the best measured to-date by anyone in the industry.

Northrop Grumman has a competing solid state laser technology and is also funded in the Robust Electric Laser Initiative

Grumman’s fact sheet had this visualization of combat lasers on helicopters. Various branches of US military will be putting lasers on navy ships, fighters and armored vehicles and trucks

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