Beam Weapons Technician
Beam Weapons Technician (abbrev BWT) is an enlisted technical specialty or rating utilized by the Royal Manticoran Navy.
Description
Beam Weapons Technicians operate, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair all energy weapon systems. They align, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair all areas of the beam weapons system, launcher system, and various test systems. They troubleshoot and repair digital, electrical, molytronic, and electronic systems.[1]
Historical Overview
In 1984 AD the Soviet Strategic Missile Troops military academy developed the first handheld laser weapon, intended for use by cosmonauts in outer space. In 1987 a Soviet laser-armed orbital weapon system, the 17F19DM Polyus/Skif-DM, failed during deployment.
In 1991 scientists at the US Army Missile Command developed and field tested a ruggedized tunable laser emitting in yellow-orange-red part of the spectrum.
On March 18, 2009 Northrop Grumman announced that its engineers in Redondo Beach had successfully built and tested an electric laser capable of producing a 100-kilowatt ray of light, powerful enough to destroy cruise missiles, artillery, rockets and mortar rounds. An electric laser is theoretically capable, according to Brian Strickland, manager for the United States Army's Joint High Power Solid State Laser program, of being mounted in an aircraft, ship, or vehicle because it requires much less space for its supporting equipment than a chemical laser.
On April 6, 2011, the U.S. Navy successfully tested a laser gun, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, that was mounted on the former USS Paul Foster, which is currently used as the navy's test ship. When engaged during the test that occurred off the coast of Central California in the Pacific Ocean test range, the laser gun was documented as having "a destructive effect on a high-speed cruising target," said Chief of Naval Research Admiral Nevin Carr. While classified, the proposed range of the laser gun is measured in miles, not yards.
Northrop Grumman has announced the availability of a high-energy solid-state laser weapon system that they call FIRESTRIKE, introduced on 13 November 2008. The system is modular, using 15 kW modules that can be combined to provide various levels of power.
On 19 July 2010 an anti-aircraft laser described as the Laser Close-In Weapon System was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow. The ZEUS-HLONS (HMMWV Laser Ordnance Neutralization System) is the first laser and the first energy weapon of any type to be used on a battlefield. It is used for neutralizing mines and unexploded ordnance.
The Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL) is an experimental U.S. Navy deuterium fluoride laser and was tested against an Air Force satellite in 1997.
In 2011, the U.S. Navy began to test the Maritime Laser Demonstrator (MLD), a laser for use aboard its warships.
In 2013 the U.S. began field testing a directed-energy weapon it calls the Laser Weapon System. Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response, or PHaSR, is a non-lethal hand-held weapon developed by the United States Air Force. Its purpose is to "dazzle" or stun a target. It was developed by Air Force's Directed Energy Directorate.[2]
TRMN Training Information
Members desiring to qualify to serve at the different skill levels within the Beam Weapons Technician's department must pass the following exams and prerequisites:[1]
| Bureau of Training Information for Beam Weapons Technician | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Name | Course Code | Prerequisite(s) | |
| Basic Beam Weapons Technician "A" School |
SIA-SRN-28A | SIA-RMN-0001 | (Basic Enlisted)[3] |
| Advanced Beam Weapons Technician "C" School |
SIA-SRN-28C | SIA-RMN-0002 | (Basic Non-Commissioned Officer)[4] |
| SIA-SRN-10A | (Basic Beam Weapons Technician) | ||
| Beam Weapons Technician Warrant Officer "W" School |
SIA-SRN-28W | SIA-RMN-0011 | (Warrant Officer)[5] |
| SIA-SRN-28C | (Advanced Beam Weapons Technician) | ||
| Beam Weapons Technician Division Officer "D" School |
SIA-SRN-28D | SIA-RMN-0101 | (Ensign)[6] |
| SIA-SRN-28C | (Advanced Beam Weapons Technician) | ||
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Student Manual v2.0a (Bureau of Training)
- ↑ Directed-Energy Weapon(Wikipedia)
- ↑ Policy Change re TSC exam pre-requisites, posted 2 Nov 2015 in RMN - Bureau of Training Group
- ↑ Policy Change re TSC exam pre-requisites, posted 2 Nov 2015 in RMN - Bureau of Training Group
- ↑ Policy Change re TSC exam pre-requisites, posted 2 Nov 2015 in RMN - Bureau of Training Group
- ↑ Policy Change re TSC exam pre-requisites, posted 2 Nov 2015 in RMN - Bureau of Training Group
| RMN Technical Specialties | |
|---|---|
| Command: | Boatswain - Master-at-Arms - Operations Specialist - Intelligence Specialist |
| Admin: | Personnelman - Navy Counselor - Yeoman |
| Logistics: | Steward - Storekeeper - Disbursing Clerk - Ship's Serviceman |
| Tactical: | Fire Control - Electronic Warfare - Tracking Specialist - Missiles - Beam Weapons - Gunner |
| Engineering: | Impeller - Power - Gravitics - Environment - Hydroponics - Damage Control |
| Communications: | Data Systems - Electronics - Communications - Sensors |
| Astrogation: | Helmsman - Plotting Specialist |
| Flight Operations: | Coxswain |
| Medical: | Corpsman - Sick Berth Attendant |