Lockheed Martin Unveils ADAM, Another Directed Energy Weapon For the USSusanne Posel, Contributor ADAM is ground-based, transportable and self-contained. It can use external radar to detect drones and engage enemy missiles within seconds of a locked-in object. Once ADAM declares a valid aim point, it fires the laser on the target long enough to negate the rocket or drone. Last month, Lockheed Martin recounted that testing for ADAM was successful. Doug Graham, vice president of advanced programs for Strategic and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin,stated: Lockheed Martin has invested in the development of the ADAM system because of the enormous potential effectiveness of high-energy lasers. We are committed to supporting the transition of directed energys revolutionary capability to the war fighter. Paul Shattuck, director of directed energy systems for Strategic and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin explained: Lockheed Martin has applied its expertise as a laser weapon system integrator to provide a practical and affordable defense against serious threats to military forces and installations. In developing the ADAM system, we combined our proven laser beam control architecture with commercial hardware to create a capable, integrated laser weapon system. In April of 2013, the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) will host the Directed Energy Systems Symposium. For the past 8 years, the DEPS have met to discuss ideas and to focus on near term demonstrations of DE technology. Not all of the talks at the Symposium will be open to the public. Restrictions to access to the DEPS will be limited to U.S. citizens with security clearances, who are employees of the U.S. Government or its contractors. Some of those who sponsor the DEPS and are expected to attend: In 2008, DARPAs High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS) program was designed to develop a 150 kilowatt (kW) laser weapon system that is ten times smaller and lighter than current lasers of similar power, enabling integration onto tactical aircraft to defend against and defeat ground threats. HELLADS proposed the use of high-energy lasers to be integrated onto tactical aircraft, significantly increasing engagement ranges compared to ground-based systems. Laboratory testing showed great success and the final phase of the program included the creation of a second laser module [to] be built and combined with the first module to generate 150 kW of power. This took place at White Sands Missile Range where HELLADS was pitted against rockets, mortars, surface-to-air missiles and to conduct simulated air-to-ground offensive missions. Textron Defense Systems (TDS), weapons developer, was given$21 million by DARPA to design, fabricate and test a Unit Cell Module for a 150 kilowatt (kW) Laser Weapon System. TDS prides itself on providing its customers with precision, power and protection through innovative air-and ground-based smart weapons; directed energy weapons; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, systems; and protection systems. DARPA has advanced the technology of laser-powered weapons to fit under the wing of a fighter jet or piggyback on a vehicle to zap anything from ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles to rocket-propelled grenades. In 2009, Boeing proudly released limited information about the success of its Laser Avenger System that utilized a combat vehicle [that] used a laser to shoot down a UAV. Laser Avenger was designed to disable aerial long-range missiles by directing a heat source to a targeted weak point, then causing the outer casing to rupture in mid-air. Precision technology allows the system to direct the beam of energy with environmental corrections such as dust or atmospheric disturbances. Using forward-looking infrared cameras, the system can work independently and fire upon a target once identified. The system zooms in and uses advanced UAV tracking algorithms to distinguish the target under heavily obscured battle conditions. Susanne Posel is the Chief Editor of Occupy Corporatism. Our alternative news site is dedicated to reporting the news as it actually happens; not as it is spun by the corporately funded mainstream media. You can find us on ourFacebook page. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 