directed-energy-weapons

also the weapon system. Such as approach offers sensor-to-shooter-to-target timelines that could be measured in seconds.In addition, it will allow directed-energy systems to contribute to the campaign for information dominance.Even in the near-term, directed-energy weapons could change the face of air combat. Airborne laser weapons willenable those who possess them to dominate absolutely the airspace within the range of their beams. Directed-energyweapons can engage ballistic missiles, SAMs, and virtually any airborne platform. The current airborne directed-energytechnology is limited with respect to power and number of shots available per aircraft sortie. However, current systemscould be improved by a factor of ten over the next decade. 59 This would provide a next-generation ABL with amagazine of more than 100 shots. A 100KW solid-state laser could be deployed on small, stealthy UCAVs providinga nearly undetectable capability to achieve air dominance. Laser or HPM weapons would also provide an activedefense of aircraft against heat-seeking SAMs. A similar ground-based capability could be used in either mobile orfixed deployments to defend airfields against the threat of short-range, man-portable SAMs.In addition to employing directed-energy weapons against airborne SAMs, directed-energy weapons hold forth thepromise in the near-term for major improvements in SEAD capabilities. Directed-energy weapons will be able to rapidlyrespond to attacks, locating and attacking even highly mobile SAM systems. HPM weapons could greatlyimprove anti-radiation attack capabilities and, most significantly, defeat efforts by an air-defense system to survive byturning off electronic systems. Depending on the size of the country and the robustness of its air-defense system, adirected-energy armed force could achieve air dominance within days or at worst a few weeks.Directed-energy weapons systems could contribute significantly to efforts by the United States to dissuade potentialadversaries or proliferators from seeking to acquire a range of advanced military hardware. For example, directed-energymissile defenses, whether airborne or in space, raise the bar to any would-be missile proliferator. Directed-energysystems can provide a highly effective boost-phase defense. In addition, while the initial expense associated withdeploying directed-energy-based missile defenses are likely to be high, the marginal costs for increasing the capabilityof such a system are low. Thus, a directed-energy missile-defense capability can achieve a cost-effectiveness advantageover missile proliferation or even countermeasure deployments. The mere capability to deploy directed energy in spacecould serve as a powerful disincentive to would-be proliferators or to any desire on the part of Russia or China toengage in a strategic arms race with the United States.U.S. counter-proliferation strategy has focused, of late, on the potential requirement to preempt the efforts by proliferatorsto acquire or deploy weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Directed-energy weapons couldcontribute significantly to preemption operations. HPM weapons, in particular, would be useful in attacking WMDfacilities that are buried, hardened or co-located with civilian populations or infrastructure.Directed-energy weapons, primarily HPM but in some instances lasers too, could greatly enhance the ability of U.S.forces to conduct precise, effects-based operations. Directed-energy weapons can address one of the most problematicasymmetric strategies potential adversaries might pursue: the use of civilian populations as shields. Already, laserguidance systems permit the precise delivery of explosive ordinance against targets in urban environments. Directedenergyweapons would allow strikes against a wide range of targets co-located with civilian infrastructure or evenshielded by the presence of noncombatants. Virtually any electronic system can be attacked with HPM weapons withoutdoing direct harm to nearby civilians.34 The Military Uses and National-Security Implications of Directed-Energy Weapons