Flying Laser Mirror Relay Design

[shin_getter]

With the technical feasibility of high powered, weaponized lasers, solving practical problems limiting laser systems becomes relevant.

And one significant problem is how to extend laser ranges beyond the horizon. Aircraft mounted laser is one answer.
-The other answer is surface mounted laser with an aircraft mirror relay.

So what kind of aircraft would do the job of being a mirror for weaponized laser and how would it be designed?

Compare basic constraints:
- Need to lift a large mirror with possibly adaptive capability and cooling
- Need to be able to point the mirror in different directions fairly fast
- Need to be stable to improve beam focus
- Low operating costs and high endurance to enable good overall system up time.

Constraints avoided:
- Does not need fuel if one can utilize beam power
- Does not need speed

 

[Dilandu]

So what kind of aircraft would do the job of being a mirror for weaponized laser and how would it be designed?

Well, the design would probably require two laser turrets, connected by optical beam guide. One to receive the un-focused beam of ground laser, the second - to re-focus the beam on the enemy. I suppose two-engine transport plane would do fine; the receiving turret could be installed on the rear, and emitter turret could be set on top.

 

[Dilandu]

- Need to lift a large mirror with possibly adaptive capability and cooling
- Need to be able to point the mirror in different directions fairly fast
- Need to be stable to improve beam focus
- Low operating costs and high endurance to enable good overall system up time.

Just use two mirror systems, connected by beam guide:

* Large parabolic mirror (non-adaptable) receive the unfocused beam from ground laser, and through a system of secondary mirrors send into the beamguide.

* The beamguide transport the beam from receiver to emitter mirror.

* The emitter mirror receive the beam, and - using adaptable optic - focus it on target.