Laser Weapon System

((LaWS)
LaWS)
At a Glance
What is it?
LaWS is an ORDALT to the Mk 15 CIWS that adds a laser weapon
to provide multi-mission, “zero time of flight”, low per shot cost,
and deep magazine capabilities to counter asymmetric threats
(UAVs, jet skis, boats, threat EO/IR sensors, rockets, artillery,
mortars, etc.) beyond existing CIWS hard kill ranges. LaWS will +Z
AZIMUTH AXIS
+Z

complement, not replace, the 20 mm gun.

X=+2.03 Y=-15.86

T OP MOUNT ED EXTENDED STU B

T ELESCO PE SH AF T

How does it work?

ELEVATION AXIS
188 IN
TOTALHEIGHT

LaWS takes advantage of commercial laser technologies, to Z=+0.04

+X +Y

provide field-able and affordable solutions to the warfighters.

DUAL SUPPORT ARM

To provide higher lethality at longer range, 6 lasers are being SIDE MOUNT ED
BEAM DIRECT OR
DUAL SUPPO RT

combined in free space to provide higher irradiance on target.

The initial capability will incorporate 6 modified commercial fiber
lasers via beam combining to address targets at medium ranges.
Eventual implementation will take the same approach with lasers Description:
of several times the output power and significantly brighter (more
focusable) beams. Successfully tracked, engaged, and destroyed multiple
Threat Representative Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
What are its capabilities? (UAVs) in flight at the Naval Air Warfare Center, China
Lake, in June 2009 firing commercial lasers through a
Anti-Materiel: beam director on a KINETO Tracking Mount, the
• Counter UAVs prototype version of the Surface Navy’s Laser Weapon
• Counter Rocket Artillery Mortars (CRAM) System (LaWS). Also engaged mortar rounds with a
• Anti-EO/IR guided anti-ship missiles single commercial laser integrated into CIWS in March
• Reversible EO jamming (In band) 2009 at WSMR.
• Destructive EO jamming (out of band)
• Counter MANPADs
• Counter Crossing anti-ship missiles (future upgrade with -Projected-
higher power) CIWS Mk 15 Mod 41
• Asymmetric Threats (e.g. small boats) Production – FY 16
Fielding – FY 17
Others:
• Laser DazzlerTM/ Hostile Intent determination
• Situation Awareness on both asymmetric and traditional Benefits:
threats Fielding of the laser capability as an upgrade to an
• EO/IR augmentation to radars existing program (MK 15 CIWS) will facilitate and
• Floating mine detection accelerate delivery of this capability to the fleet. This is
• Counter-ISR (i.e. UAVs, Periscopes) due to the fleet-wide population of over 250 CIWS
mounts, the existing MK 15 CIWS ngineering/logistics
Points of Contact: support infrastructure, and a solid Program of Record
CAPT David Kiel (POR) for the upgrade of all fleet CIWS mounts to the
david.kiel@navy.mil Block 1B configuration.
202.781.3775
Dr. Thomas Schriempf Mr. Dennis Tressler
john.schriempf@navy.mil dennis.tressler@navy.mil
202.781.1196 202.781.0912