Page "Tactical High Energy Laser" Paragraph 2

On July 18, 1996, the United States and Israel entered into an agreement to produce a cooperative THEL called the Demonstrator, which would utilize deuterium fluoride laser chemical laser technologies.

Primary among the four contractors awarded the project on September 30, 1996 are Northrop Grumman ( formerly TRW ).

THEL conducted test firing in FY1998, and Initial Operating Capability ( IOC ) was planned in FY1999.

However this was significantly delayed due to reorienting the project as a mobile, not fixed design, called Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser ( MTHEL ).

The original fixed location design eliminates most weight, size and power restrictions, but is not compatible with the fluid, mobile nature of modern combat.

The initial MTHEL goal was a mobile version the size of three large semi trailers.

Ideally it would be further downsized to a single semi trailer size.

However, doing this while maintaining the original performance characteristics is difficult.

Furthermore, the Israeli government, which had been providing significant funding, decreased their financial support in 2004, postponing the IOC date to at least 2010.