DOD makes new bet on missile defense laser cooling technology

The Defense Department is placing a bet on new laser-cooling technology for missile defense capabilities that carries such promise that the Pentagon will not disclose the company associated with the $11 million contract award.

Still, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu last week touted the project during public remarks at a missile defense conference sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association as an illustration of a new initiative under the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (AFPIT) program.

“One of the companies that is receiving [AFPIT funding] is a small company that is building a phase modulator that will decrease the amount of cooling required for fiber lasers by 50%,” Shyu said on April 17. “Think about that.”

In general, cooling is essential for solid-state lasers to ensure stable and efficient operation and is critical to enhance the durability and reliability of the directed energy system.

The AFPIT award was made on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency, according to DOD.

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told Inside Defense on April 23 that further details about the $11 million contract, including the scope of the project and vendor is designated “controlled unclassified information” and unavailable for public release.