Boeing's MATRIX Laser Destroys Flying UAVs

Boeing in May demonstrated the ability of mobile laser weapon systems to perform a unique mission: track and destroy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

During the U.S. Air Force-sponsored tests at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif., the Mobile Active Targeting Resource for Integrated eXperiments (MATRIX), which was developed by Boeing under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory, used a single, high-brightness laser beam to shoot down five UAVs at various ranges. Laser Avenger, a Boeing-funded initiative, also shot down a UAV. Representatives of the Air Force and Army observed the tests.

"The Air Force and Boeing achieved a directed-energy breakthrough with these tests," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Missile Defense Systems' Directed Energy Systems unit. "MATRIX's performance is especially noteworthy because it demonstrated unprecedented, ultra-precise and lethal acquisition, pointing and tracking at long ranges using relatively low laser power."

Bill Baker, chief scientist of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, praised his team and Boeing for these successful UAV shootdowns.

"These tests validate the use of directed energy to negate potential hostile threats against the homeland," Baker said. "The team effort of Boeing and the Air Force in developing MATRIX will pay major dividends for the warfighter now and in the years ahead."

As part of the overall counter-UAV demonstration, Boeing also successfully test-fired a lightweight 25mm machine gun from the Laser Avenger platform to potentially further the hybrid directed energy/kinetic energy capability against UAV threats.

Boeing Directed Energy Systems, based in Albuquerque, developed MATRIX, a mobile, trailer-mounted test bed that integrates with existing test-range radar. Directed Energy Systems and Boeing Combat Systems in St. Louis cooperatively developed Laser Avenger, which integrates a directed-energy weapon together with the existing kinetic weapons on the proven Avenger air defense system developed by Combat Systems.

 

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M/V Maersk-Alabama Repels Suspected Pirate Attack

M/V Maersk-Alabama Repels Suspected Pirate Attack: "Four suspected pirates in a skiff came within 300 yards of M/V Maersk-Alabama and used small arms weapons in an attempt to board the ship.

The security team embarked aboard Maersk-Alabama responded to the attack by using evasive maneuvers, Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) and small arms fire, causing the suspected pirates to break off their attack.

'Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry's best-practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates,' said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 'This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take pro-active action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they're in high-risk areas.'"

Parachute Passion

PARACHUTE PASSION The U.S. Air Force Academy Parachute Team performs during the Aviation Nation air show on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 15, 2009. The demonstration team includes cadets and instructors. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth

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DefenseLink News Article: Team Combines Civilian, Military Expertise

DefenseLink News Article: Team Combines Civilian, Military Expertise: "Air Force Lt. Col. Eric W. Hommel, right, commander of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province, explains the historical significance of the Daraband Pass to several NATO journalists with Jeremy Lewis, left, U.S. Agency for International Development representative, in Panjshir province, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. John T. Stamm"

DefenseLink News Article: Team Combines Civilian, Military Expertise

DefenseLink News Article: Team Combines Civilian, Military Expertise: "The provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province serves as a model for the continued integration of civilian assets into military operations to achieve a unified strategic goal."

US, China to step up military, space cooperation

US, China to step up military, space cooperation: "China and the United States pledged Tuesday to step up military exchanges and safeguard the peaceful use of outer space after talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting US leader Barack Obama.
The two countries vowed to take 'concrete steps to advance sustained and reliable military-to-military relations in the future,' according to a joint statement released after their summit in the Chinese capital.
The statement added both sides were preparing for an exchange of visits between top defence officials, including General Chen Bingde, chief of the Chinese military's general staff, and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates."

US Afghan supply flights over Russia still not on: US

US Afghan supply flights over Russia still not on: US: "The United States is still unable to use Russian airspace to deliver military supplies to Afghanistan despite a July deal with Moscow, the State Department said Friday, expressing hope the flights can start soon.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said negotiators were still hammering out details of the deal announced in July by presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev during a Moscow summit."