Military electro-optics experts at the Boeing Co. Directed Energy Systems segment in Albuquerque, N.M., are moving ahead with a project to develop prototype high-power adaptive optics for high-energy laser weapons. This work falls under terms of a contract won from the U.S. Department of Defense's High Energy Laser-Joint Technology Office (HEL-JTO) in Albuquerque, N.M. The value of this contract has not been disclosed. Adaptive optics can reduce distortion in a laser beam and increase the beam's energy on targets, Boeing officials say. Traditional adaptive optics were developed originally for astronomy telescopes to correct light distortion from wind or other turbulence. Boeing and SAIC engineers have finished designing, building, and testing the adaptive optics system in the laboratory, and now will test the system with the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) high-energy laser program for the U.S. Army, Boeing officials say. Experts will use ultra-high-speed processing and sensor technologies, a beacon illuminator, and deformable mirror.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Boeing Directed Energy Systems online at www.boeing.com/defense-space/ic/des, or SAIC at www.saic.com.

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