B-52H in flight. (Photo : USAF)
The U.S. Air Force will push ahead with the program that will first arm its aging fleet of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers with laser pods for self-defense. More powerful "offensive lasers" that can destroy aircraft will be developed later on.
The high-energy laser being developed by the Air Force for its bombers and fighters is part of a program named "Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Turret Research in Aero-Effects (STRAFE). This program is under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Northrop Grumman will develop and deliver an advanced beam control system for integration as part of a complete laser weapons system into a tactical pod for USAF fighter aircraft as part of the SHiELD segment.
On the other hand, STRAFE will increase the knowledge and understanding of aero-optic disturbances in a supersonic environment by collecting data during engagement scenarios. Work on SHiELD/STRAFE is expected to be completed by the end of August 2021.
SHiELD, which will be housed in a large pod, will divert missiles away from U.S. warplanes. Future improvements intend to increase the laser's power output for longer range and enough power to destroy incoming missiles.
AFRL is now working on experimental demonstrator weapons inside a pod that can be bolted onto a warplane like the B-52H.
Air Force Chief Scientist Greg Zacharias said a large aircraft, and an unstealthy one like the B-52H, will better benefit from the SHiELD laser pod. The pod can't be used on Air Force stealth fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike fighter because its shape will compromise the jet's stealth capability.
AFRL's SHiELD program, which is sponsored by Air Combat Command, aims to demonstrate a high-energy laser on a tactical aircraft in 2021. Funding the future laser jets will be an Air Force request for $2.5 billion in their fiscal 2017 budget to Congress.
Sources said AFRL engineers might combine many small lasers (similar to those in a Blu-Ray player) into a powerful high-power beam with over 10 kilowatts of power.
