High Energy Laser Applications in a Surface Combatant: Terminal Phase Theater Ballistic Missile Defense, Low Atmosphere Propagation, and Free Electron Laser Gain
Abstract
The Free Electron Laser (FEL) can provide the naval surface combatant with a directed energy weapon that can be used against a large target set. Due to space constraints in a shipboard installation, an exploration is conducted to show the feasibility of short Rayleigh length FELs using a FEL simulation. Low atmosphere engagements are discussed through the modeling of a turbulence module for laser propagation in cruise missile defense applications. In particular, this thesis explores the difficulties in engaging a short/medium range theater ballistic missile (TBM) in the terminal phase as an engagement scenario in support of littoral operations using HELCoMES, developed by SAIC, as an engagement analysis tool. A concept of operations (CONOPS) for the use of a FEL as an area. TBM defensive weapon is explored, using a unitary, high explosive warhead model and extrapolations to other TBM warhead types.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435558
Entities
People
- Sean P. Niles
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School