NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

development of both high-energy laser and high-power microwave weapons technically feasible. This study examines the
potential adaptation of such weapons for the defense of naval forces. This study considers options for using directed energy
systems on naval vessels in the context of the U.S. maritime strategy and emerging threats in international politics. The
framework for this study is an integrated system of microwave devices, high-energy lasers, and surface-to-air missiles which
are evaluated in terms of their ability to enhance anti-ship cruise missile defense, tactical air defense, and fast patrol boat
defense. This study also examines collateral capabilities, such as non-lethal defensive measures and countersurveillance
operations. The global proliferation of increasingly sophisticated weapons and the expanding demands placed on its
ever-smaller navy require the USA to reassess its current approach to fleet operations. This study concludes that directed
energy technology has made sufficient progress to warrant the development of sea-based weapons systems for deployment in
the first two decades of the next century. For operational and technical reasons, a Nimitz class aircraft carrier may be the
preferred platform for the initial implementation of directed energy weapons. If successful, the robust self-defense capability
provided by directed energy weapons will permit a fundamental shift in carrier battle group operations from a massed, attrition
oriented defense to a more dynamic, dispersed offense.
DTIC
High Power Lasers; Navy; Warfare; Weapon Systems
20040111524 Air War Coll., Maxwell AFB, AL
Airborne and Space-Based Lasers: An Analysis of Technological and Operational Compatibility
Barker, Kenneth W.; Jun. 1999; 52 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Report No.(s): AD-A425529; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A04, Hardcopy
The Air Force is simultaneously pursuing both the Airborne and Space-Based Laser programs. Believing that these two
systems are synergistic, the Air Force has begun the process of advocating both programs, defending their funds, developing
the required technology, fielding the weapons, and drafting the doctrine that will make them useful to the operational
commands. The purpose of this study is to assess the similarities and differences between these technologies and their technical
risks and challenges so the defense establishment can gain a more detailed understanding of the compatibility of the ABL and
SBL systems. Once the facts about their compatibility are known, Air Force leadership will be better prepared to make the
right decisions about the role of laser weapons in ballistic missile defense. This study hopes to stimulate further debate about
how these technologies will influence the security of the USA in the 21st century. There is no debate over the fact that the
ABL and SBL are both laser weapons that are capable of performing the same mission of theater ballistic missile defense. Even
though these weapons are based on similar configurations inside their respective aerospace vehicles, it is essential to
understand that they are not sufficiently compatible to justify the claim that the programs are synergistic. In the case of
operational strategies, the extent of compatibility depends strongly upon how the National Command Authority and military
actually employ them. Separately, each provides a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and arguably, each system’s
weaknesses are significant enough to compromise mission effectiveness. It is fortunate, however, that ABL’s weaknesses are
compensated by SBL’s strengths, and vice versa. It is not surprising, therefore, that a combination of Airborne and
Space-Based Lasers working in concert would produce the greatest overall operational effectiveness. (10 refs.)
DTIC
Compatibility; Laser Weapons; Missile Defense; System Effectiveness
20040111617 Illinois Univ., Champaign, IL
Effect of Infrared Lasers on Corneal Tissue
Eurell, Thomas; Mar. 31, 2004; 10 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): F49620-01-1-0140
Report No.(s): AD-A425709; AFRL-SR-AR-TR-04-0425; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
Proteomic methods developed through the support of this grant have been used to describe a previously unknown
relationship between the pulse width of infrared laser light (l540nm) and the degree of post-exposure corneal wound healing.
Using standard histologic methods, in vitro exposure of corneal tissue to nanosecond pulse widths appeared less damaging
when compared to millisecond pulse widths. However, using MMP-2 immunohistochemistry to detect subtle stromal
remodeling, we discovered a markedly increased tissue response to nanosecond exposures when compared to millisecond
exposures. This finding is important to the AFOSR mission because it demonstrates that significant tissue changes associated
with wound healing can occur in the cornea following exposure to nanosecond pulse widths that are not detectable using
standard histologic techniques. Tissue engineering methods developed through the support of this grant were used to produce
organotypic corneal models that reduced the number of experimental animals necessary to conduct laser-tissue interaction
studies. Through tissue engineering, our research group developed a validated experimental model to document the marked
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