Advanced Solid-State Lasers
Textron Systems continues to develop a variety of high-power, high-energy solid-state lasers for the Department of Defense. Many laser designs are based on our ThinZag™ technology that provides scalable architectures for high average power levels needed for Directed Energy Weapons applications. These ThinZag™ lasers have shown exceptional performance with a wide variety of laser gain materials, including plastic dyes, Cr:LiSAF, Er:Glass, Nd:YLF, and Nd:YAG in crystalline and ceramic form.

Airborne Laser Systems
Textron Systems produces advanced CO2 laser radar (ladar) systems, including the Advanced Airborne Sensor, currently in flight-testing for the USAF. This coherent laser radar provides range-Doppler images at distances in excess of 100 kilometers. Research is underway on migrating this system to a LIDAR capability, which would enable remote sensing of airborne materials at extended ranges.

Textron Systems has also built an operational eye-safe laser based on nonlinear wavelength shifting of a laser diode pumped Yb:YAG laser for covert illumination. This laser illuminator and associated image processing hardware is currently in flight testing for the USAF

Laser Radar
Using coherent infrared transceiver technology, Textron Systems' high-power laser radar systems perform long-range remote sensing to track and identify airborne missiles. Laser radar can also sense and identify effluents from chemical and biological weapons.

Testing takes place at the Maui Space Surveillance Site on top Mt. Haleakala in Hawaii. Atmospheric conditions here are similar to those found at airborne operating altitudes, greatly benefiting research, development, and testing initiatives.