Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Hypervelocity Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress
Abstract
This report provides background information and issues for Congress on three potential new weapons that could improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against enemy missilessolid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun (EMRG), and the hypervelocity projectile (HVP).1Any one of these new weapon technologies, if successfully developed and deployed, might be regarded as a game changer for defending Navy surface ships against enemy missiles. If two or three of them are successfully developed and deployed, the result might be considered not just a game changer, but a revolution. Rarely has the Navy had so many potential new types of surface-ship missile-defense weapons simultaneously available for development and potential deployment. Although the Navy in recent years has made considerable progress in developing SSLs, EMRG, and HVP, a number of significant development challenges remain.The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navys funding requests and proposed acquisition strategies for these three potential new weapons. Congress decisions on this issue could affect future Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the defense industrial base.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 27, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1013793
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Congressional Research Service