Monster Truck Gets a Laser

Under the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) contract, awarded today, Boeing will develop and complete a preliminary design of a rugged beam control system (BCS) on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. The Contract contains options that, if exercised, will call for Boeing to build and test a significant component of the HEL TD capability, comprised of the BCS integrated on a vehicle platform and refine requirements for the entire HEL TD system.

The Army is looking at solid-state lasers; the plan is to choose an appropriate laser by 2009. Boeing says 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.