Philadelphia-based Attalon, Inc., an independent U.S.-based technology company, announced the shipment of its Kilowatt Interconnect (kWIC) Disconnect subsystem that will enable filed-serviceable high-energy laser systems.
Attalon specializes in directed energy, optical, coating and thermal technologies for mission-critical platforms for defense applications. The company said kWIC marks a milestone in the directed energy industry by enabling rapid, in-filed replacement of laser amplifiers without fiber splicing or specialized maintenance personnel.
“The future battlefield demands systems that are not only powerful but sustainable,” Matt Straup, VP and General Manager of Directed Energy & Advanced Lasers at Attalon, said. “Our customers have long recognized that field maintenance of high-power fiber lasers presents unique challenges. The kWIC Disconnect removes one of the most significant barriers by giving operators the ability to quickly swap amplifiers and return systems to service without leaving the fight.”
According to the company, traditional high-energy laser systems require fiber splicing performed by highly trained technicians using specialized equipment to replace damaged or failed amplifiers. The kWIC Disconnect, the company said, eliminates that requirement by providing operators with a system to disconnect a faulty amplifier and insert a replacement in minutes.
“Now that directed energy systems have transitioned from prototypes to operational weapons, serviceability becomes just as important as performance,” John Bergeron, CEO of Attalon, said. “The kWIC Disconnect represents a significant advancement in maintainability by allowing warfighters to replace critical laser components in the field without specialized fiber optic expertise. It is exactly the kind of innovation required to enable high-energy laser systems to move beyond prototypes and become a reliable part of the layered defense architecture.”
The kWIC Disconnect maintains precise optical alignment and provides the rugged, repeatable connection necessary for next generation directed energy architectures, the company said, with built-in verification checks. The initial shipment represents Attalon’s continued investment into scalable directed energy technologies supporting U.S. defense programs.