MILNET: THEL MIRACL Ground Based Laser

Not a lot of information on this system has been available publicly, with only early photos of the systems beam director, looking very much like a strange optical telescope in a typical astronomical dome being available for some time. Now more information is emerging. MILNET will attempt to add public information as it is released.

Name: THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) - MIRACL (Mid InfraRed Advanced Chemical Laser)

Location: White Sands, New Mexico

Mission: Using a Hughes Sealight beam director which is housed on a 5.1 inch gun turret and fast, 350 degree motion, a laser designator lases the target and the chemical laser is fired through a 1.5 meter apeture telescope.

Technology: Laser is a Deuterium Flouride chemical laser, multi-megawatts. Computer controlled tracking and targeting system

Capability: Can attack tactical targets in an area within a minimum of 450 meter to unreleased or undetermined maximum. Targets can be aircraft, ballistic missiles, or satellites on orbit depending upon atmospheric conditions.

Tests: White Sands test in February, 1996 destroyed a light, short range rocket paving the way for further THEL development in conjuction with Israel.

milnet@milnet.com

Name:	THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) - MIRACL (Mid InfraRed Advanced Chemical Laser)
Location:	White Sands, New Mexico
Mission:	Using a Hughes Sealight beam director which is housed on a 5.1 inch gun turret and fast, 350 degree motion, a laser designator lases the target and the chemical laser is fired through a 1.5 meter apeture telescope.
Technology:	Laser is a Deuterium Flouride chemical laser, multi-megawatts. Computer controlled tracking and targeting system
Capability:	Can attack tactical targets in an area within a minimum of 450 meter to unreleased or undetermined maximum. Targets can be aircraft, ballistic missiles, or satellites on orbit depending upon atmospheric conditions.
Tests:	White Sands test in February, 1996 destroyed a light, short range rocket paving the way for further THEL development in conjuction with Israel.