A Systems Approach Towards High Energy Laser Implementation Aboard Navy Ships
Abstract
The next generation of naval surface vessels will feature a weapon system with pinpoint accuracy, deep magazines, lower cost per kill shot ratio, and delivery at the speed of light. This transformational weapon system will provide significant advantages over the conventional systems of today. The Free Electron Laser maintains the greatest potential to become the Navy's first line of shipboard defense and possibly a major component in the National Missile Defense Shield. This is possible because the Free Electron Laser will, in theory, be capable of scaling high power levels to that of the megawatt class, which is considered the threshold for military application. The focus of this thesis is to study the implementation of this directed energy weapon from a systems perspective and to determine if such implementation is plausible within the constraints of a naval platform. The thesis will discuss the components of implementation, such as the electric drive, integrated power system, pointer-tracker system, etc., which are vital to the total ship weapon package.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA470165
Entities
People
- David L. Reyes
- James A. Holbrook Ii
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School