Laser weapons. I - Tactical lasers: Moving toward lethality

The uses and advantages of lasers as tactical weapon systems are discussed. The primary characteristics of military lasers are the propagation of destructive force toward the target at the speed of light, obviating the present need for targeting systems to lead their target, and the ease with which new targets may be acquired by redirection of the laser's orienting mirror. Two basic types of mission are considered: (1) the destruction of sensing systems which direct missiles to their targets, and (2) the mechanical damage of the target through the rapid deposition of large quantities of energy on a small area. Attention is given to the thermal blooming effect which results from atmospheric absorption of infrared laser beams. Missions under consideration are tank-mounted antimissile and anti-aircraft Army operations, naval ship defense against cruise missiles, and air and antisatellite warfare operations of the Air Force.