Ar-Xe Laser: The Path to a Robust, All-Electric Shipboard Directed Energy Weapon
Abstract
High Energy Lasers (HELs) long ago demonstrated their potential to destroy missiles in flight, a capability which could significantly reduce the threat to the fleet arising from anti-ship cruise missiles. However, no HELs have been deployed to date. Until recently, there was no laser that had credible prospects of meeting the Navy's requirements for safety, power, size, beam quality, electrical drive, and atmospheric propagation. The electron beam pumped Ar-Xe laser has been investigated in an ONR-sponsored 6.1 program at NRL. The results of this program are summarized in this Memorandum Report, and indicate that the Ar-Xe laser has strong potential to meet these requirements. A technical road map which scales the present parameters of the Ar-Xe laser to a deployable system is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA491950
Entities
People
- J. L. Giuliani
- J. P. Apruzese
- John D. Sethian
- M. F. Wolford
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory