Boeing has successfully completed the preliminary design of a rugged beam control system for the U.S. Army's High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) program.

Boeing performed the work under the HEL TD Phase I contract it was awarded last year to design a beam control system for a truck-mounted laser weapon system. The objective of the HEL TD program is to demonstrate that a mobile, solid-state laser weapon system can effectively counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles. The program will support the transition to a full-fledged Army acquisition program.

"HEL TD is a cornerstone of the Army's high-energy laser program, and this successful completion of the preliminary design is an important step in developing a weapon system that can change the face of the battlefield," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems.

"While rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles have traditionally been difficult threats to defeat, HEL TD's speed-of-light, ultra-precision capability will meet the warfighter's needs in this vital mission area," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems.

The contract contains options that, if exercised, will call for Boeing to build, integrate and test the beam control system equipped with a command-and-control system on an Army tactical military vehicle, as well as develop the system-engineering requirements for the entire HEL TD system.

Boeing leads the way in developing high-energy laser systems for a variety of warfighter applications. These systems include the Airborne Laser, the Advanced Tactical Laser, the Tactical Relay Mirror System and Laser Avenger.