FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Like something out of a sci-fi movie, cutting edge lasers could instantaneously incapacitate and disrupt technology while presenting an equally grave danger to Soldiers’ safety on the battlefield. Thus, mitigating laser vulnerabilities is crucial across a multi-domain operational environment.
Dating back to the 1980s, the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center has established a longstanding legacy of safeguarding electro-optical sensors from laser-based threats, starting when such weapons emerged and began shifting how wars were fought.
To help safeguard Soldiers and equipment, the C5ISR Center’s science and technology efforts have been integrated into multiple generations of Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems. These systems, which utilize sensors that detect infrared radiation and are leveraged across target acquisition, surveillance and low-visibility navigation, have helped ensure Warfighters maintain an operational capability against laser-enabled threats in all combat scenarios, increasing Soldiers’ survivability and lethality.
The Center’s expertise and technical knowledge of Soldier protection systems have resulted in the establishment of specialized laboratories designed to assess laser effects, not only on individual components — such as sensors, optics, and coatings — but also on complete systems.
“These laboratories, still located throughout C5ISR Center’s footprint, remain at the forefront of laser vulnerability testing,” said Jason Bias, C5ISR Center. “They continue to lead efforts in evaluating the impact of laser-based search systems, jamming technologies, and direct-damage laser weapons on electro-optical platforms. Our facilities continue to serve as the industry benchmark for laser survivability testing. We also support our partners by evaluating their systems and assisting in replicating test designs at their own sites.”
Additionally, the Center serves as the certification authority for its program manager, PM, partners, ensuring systems transition seamlessly to programs of record. The center also validates industry-replicated test configurations to ensure all production systems meet the required protection standards before deployment.
Leveraging a deep understanding of sensor vulnerabilities to laser threats, the C5ISR Center develops advanced materials and engineers tailored protective components across all operational wavebands utilized by U.S. military systems.
“We work in close coordination with system integration divisions and PM partners to ensure these protection solutions are effectively incorporated into emerging platforms — balancing survivability, affordability and performance,” said Bias. “Our technical leadership in the development of these protective components has positioned the center as the trusted subject matter expert for PMs procuring systems that incorporate a diverse array of laser protection technologies developed in-house.”
As the Army’s sole remaining science and technology developer focused on protection against laser weapons, the C5ISR Center plays a critical role in informing both Army stakeholders and industry partners on available technologies and emerging threats identified through the intelligence community.
The center’s agile development approach allows technology experts to adapt protection solutions to new platforms and sensor configurations. The center recently delivered a cost-effective protection solution in response to evolving threats. The effort not only met and exceeded all program metrics, but it also enabled broader application of a short-wave infrared sensor protection across multiple systems. Additionally, in response to the growing use of unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS platforms, the center has rapidly adapted existing technologies to deliver effective laser protection for these emerging domains.
“The C5ISR Center is focused on sustaining support for both current and emerging platform requirements — such as UAS protection and counter-UAS capabilities — while continuing to transition advanced protection technologies to the field,” said Bias. “To stay ahead of evolving threats, we are preparing for the next generation of laser weapons, including ultra-short pulsed laser systems.”
These threats pose unique challenges due to their physical interactions with optical components and will necessitate a fundamental shift in protection strategies, rather than incremental improvements. Addressing this challenge will require sustained research, experimentation, and the development of novel techniques guided by a deliberate, multi-year technology development roadmap.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center is the Army’s applied research and advanced technology development center for C5ISR capabilities. As the Army’s primary integrator of C5ISR technologies and systems, DEVCOM C5ISR Center supports our networked Warfighters by identifying, developing, maturing, and rapidly integrating innovative technologies to drive continuous transformation.
DEVCOM C5ISR Center is an asset of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. DEVCOM is Army Futures Command’s leader and integrator within a global ecosystem of scientific exploration and technological innovation. DEVCOM expertise spans eight major competency areas to provide integrated research, development, analysis and engineering support to the Army and DOD. From rockets to robots, drones to dozers, and aviation to artillery – DEVCOM innovation is at the core of the combat capabilities American Warfighters need to win on the battlefield of the future. For more information, visit c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil/.
Social Sharing