MTU-What was it?

MarkHolloway · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:22 am Post subject: MTU-What was it?

tanker2010 · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:47 am Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

It was ground based laser system.To quote from Zaloga's 1982 "Modern American Armour": " One of the most radical approaches to air defence was undertaken by the Army's MTU (Mobile Test Unit) in 1976. The Mobile Test Unit is a prototype LVT-7 modified to carry a laser weapon, power generator and a beam pointing and tracking system. The laser weapon is a high energy electric discharge laser which punctures a hole in its target by a beam of intense, coherent light. The MTU was not envisaged as a prototype air defence weapon since the power levels of the available lasers were much too low to be effective. It did mange to shoot down several drones during trails, but it's performance is inadequate against modern attack aircraft. Nevertheless, it may serve as a forerunner to a beam air defence weapon once laser weapon technology has mutured sufficently.". Guess they are still waiting for it to grow up.

JeffStringer · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 637

Loose the star along with the green paint and it looks like something from SPACE 1999. Rolling Eyes

Rikard_Hufschmied · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:44 am Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

JeffStringer wrote:

Loose the star along with the green paint and it looks like something from SPACE 1999. Rolling Eyes

Space 1999 was probably the inspiration Wink

Joe_D · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

Quote::

Guess they are still waiting for it to grow up.

That and the "Rail Gun" Laughing

tanker2010 · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:56 am Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

Yeah, and I think they''ll have the railgun before a decent laser. Laser is too easy to defeat.

TrevorLarkum · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

Indeed - presumably it's useless against anything that's mirrored, or even just shiny.

JiriTintera · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:35 am Post subject: Re: MTU-What was it?

Dear Sirs,
looking for information about the LVTP7 Mobile Test Unit.
The reportedly complete study can be found in the book: Laser Weapon Development at Redstone Arsenal, 1960-2015 - Chapter 1. Major Systems with Target Shoot-downs
Mobile Test Unit
Tactical High Energy Laser

I will be grateful for the scans.
I am preparing materials for model drawings.