System assessment capability for the laser effector

High Energy Laser (HEL) is enjoying great interest around the globe, prompting explicit knowledge-building. TNO, the leading defence research institute of the Netherlands, has established a physics-based HEL system performance assessment tool, encompassing all aspects relevant to the effective use of HEL in the military operational environment. TNO also created two experimental facilities that provide validation data for the assessment tool. The tool and facilities are presented here, and a few examples of the validation efforts are given.