US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Jacqueline Quinn Baeder

Gregory C Burke

Thomas DeVoe

Luke Helsel

David Bound

A diode pumped solid-state laser for high shock, high vibration environments such as those found in laser ignition systems for artillery systems which internally integrate into the breech of an artillery system such as a 155 mm howitzer. The diode pumped solid-state laser employs a unique gain medium mounting which permits its use in such high shock/high vibration environments. Contributing further to robustness is a monolithic design based on diode arrays mounted in a linear configuration along with an advanced polycrystalline gain medium laser rod. Advantageously, and in sharp contrast to laser ignition systems incorporating flash lamps, the diode pumped solid-state laser of the present invention permits a seamless integration into a howitzer artillery weapons system without other complex mounting provisions or shock isolation system(s). Of further advantage, the diode pumped solid-state laser of the present invention facilitates integration into existing breech hardware with relatively only minor modification. This simplifies design of allied such breech and laser assemblies, their integration requirements, and further results in a reduced total system weight.

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Dover, NJ, United States of America

Jacqueline Quinn Baeder