Laser Advancement for Next-Generation Compact Environments (LANCE)

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate, is seeking information on industry's capability to fully explore and advance the state-of-the-art in compact ruggedized lasers in support of the Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD). The SHiELD ATD, as a whole, seeks to expand moderate power (tens of kilowatts) laser weapon operation into the supersonic regime by demonstrating system performance under transonic flight and acquiring aero-effects data under a supersonic environment relevant to current and future tactical aircraft. This RFI is specifically seeking information on industry's capability to advance electrically-driven lasers suitable for compact airborne application in an aerodynamic integrated pod-like structure carried on 5th and 6th generation tactical aircraft.