The United States Army is looking for ways to defend against missile and mortar attacks. In this book, the National Research Council assesses a plan to create a 100 k W mobile, solid-state, laser weapon that could defend an area several kilometers in diameter.The NRC provides several recommendations: A 100 k W Laser is of limited value, so the program’s goal should be a 400 k W weapon. The Army should proceed with the program in stages, focusing first on a rugged transportable platform for the weapon using existing 25 k W laser technology, then directing resources toward 100k W and 400 k W weapons. The Army should perform a detailed, quantitative study of the effectiveness of a high energy, solid-state laser weapon against future threats. The Army should continue to participate in U.S.-based and international research on high-energy lasers and related equipment. The committee found substantial benefits for the Army’s solid-state laser program from other programs outside the Army. The Army should conduct risk-assessments that investigate the effects that a high energy laser may have on other airborne platforms in the vicinity of the target. The Army should study eye safety for both the operators of the laser and for civilians. The results of these studies should be integrated into the development of the weapon.
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