Northrop Grumman Corporation has just equipped the U.S. military with Phantom, a compact-sized high-power laser beam source specially equipped for rapid deployment in tactical situations, the company announced this week.
At just 12 cubic feet in size, Phantom, Northrop Grumman’s new 10-kilowatt laser, is tough enough to handle extreme environments, while being small enough to allow the laser’s deployment in even the most demanding combat situations.
Lasers rely on the production of coherent light, a beam of photons possessing the same frequency, which will not spread and diffuse. The waves produced by lasers are identical and all in phase, which is what allows the production of the controlled beam of coherent light.
Capable of fitting into a space no larger than a small refrigerator, Phantom weighs less than 200 pounds, meaning that it is small enough to be carried and installed by a pair of individuals in almost any situation, and still delivers significant laser power capabilities for use in a variety of tactical operations.
With its compact size, the company hopes its new Phantom will not only make it a formidable new addition to the U.S. arsenal, but also a practical and accessible one.
“Northrop Grumman is using its expertise in directed energy to deliver an extremely compact, lightweight and efficient laser for the warfighter,” said Robert Fleming, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman strategic space systems in a statement earlier this week.
“By miniaturizing this advanced capability, we are expanding the reach of our technology and continuing to lead the way in high-energy lasers,” Fleming said.
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