Targeting at the Speed of Light
2007
Hughey, Richard L. | McGovern, James
Is laser energy just a better bullet, bomb or missile? Or will laser energy be a disruptive technology that could enable a U.S. advantage in the operational environment of 2025? If so, how will laser weapon systems be used in the operational environment of the future. Uncertainty and change are the predictions for the future. Many predict a future of accelerating change. That assumption significantly weakens forecasting estimates and increases risk for any organization. The consequence of a rapidly changing environment, with respect to military capabilities, exposes the United States to increased security risk. The U.S. military, as an instrument of power, must be able to mitigate or overcome security challenges. Laser weapons offer a disruptive capability to minimize these challenges and continue the traditional warfare advantage of the U.S. in the air, space and maritime domains. Understanding the science and technology of laser energy is crucial to understanding potential strengths and weaknesses as lasers are weaponized. This comprehension allows insight to the value of lasers as a future weapon system. Laser weapon systems will offer speed, ultraprecision, minimal collateral effects and deep magazines that enable temporal and spatial control of the air, space and maritime domains. Laser weapon systems will allow an increase in targets available in the operational environment, increase dynamic targeting and further compress the kill chain. This paper attempts to capture the military utility of laser weapons systems in the context of targeting, weaponeering and operational implications using laser weapon system capabilities described in the Draft 2006 Air Force Directed Energy Master Plan employed with current doctrine against present-day targets.
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