The U.S. Air Force has decided to terminate the development of its airborne laser weapon project known as the Self-Protect High-Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD). Initiated in 2016, SHiELD was designed to be mounted on fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, with the goal of neutralizing missile threats, including air-to-air, surface-to-air, and ballistic missiles.
Northrop Grumman was awarded a $39.3 million contract in 2016 to support research and development for the SHiELD program. Despite achieving some milestones, such as successful ground-based shootdowns of test missiles, the program has now been discontinued. The decision comes shortly after the Air Force canceled another airborne laser project intended for the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
Dr. Ted Ortiz, SHiELD program manager at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, commented on the program’s closure to military.com, stating, “Through SHiELD and related efforts, [the Air Force Research Laboratory] has made significant advances in the readiness of airborne [high-energy laser] technology, and we continue to mature airborne HEL weapons technology for the operational needs of today and tomorrow.”
