Title: Laser Options for National Missile Defense
Subject: A technical, operational, fiscal, and political trade between potential national ballistic missile defense laser architectures.
Author(s): Steven G. Leonard; Mark L. Devirgilio (Faculty Advisor)
DTIC Keywords: LASER MIRRORS, LASER TARGETS, LASER WEAPONS, SPACE BASED, SPACE SYSTEMS, SPACE TO SPACE, SPACE TO SURFACE, SPACE WARFARE, SPACE WEAPONS
Abstract:
The Cold War threat that was characterized by a USSR launch of a
large number of ballistic missiles towards the United States has been
replaced today by an even less stable ballistic missile security
environment. The US National Security Strategy recognizes the
existence of threats with both the capability and will to use weapons of
mass destruction launched by ballistic missiles. This threat environment
coupled with a high leverage to attack ballistic missiles in the boost
phase, points to a National Missile Defense (NMD) solution that includes
laser weapons.
Four boost-phase laser architectures have been evaluated using
NMD technical, operational, fiscal and political criteria. The Space
Based Laser (SBL), SBL with Relay Mirrors, Ground Based Laser (GBL)
with Relay Mirrors, and Airborne Laser (ABL) with Relay Mirrors each
meet the NMD requirements with varying degrees of success. Overall, a
Relay Mirror architecture accepting multiple laser sources was found to
produce the best NMD boost-phase defense while reducing potential
technical, operational, and political issues.
This analysis shows that US Space Command should implement a
Relay Mirror architecture with the ability to accept multiple laser sources,
such as the planned ABL or a future GBL. This would enable a powerful
boost-phase NMD capability with future expandability at minimal cost.
Improvements to this architecture could be implemented using SBL, GBL,
or ABL sources as NMD or adjunct mission requirements increase.
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Last updated 1999 Feb 17
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