Accession Number:

AD1112839

Title:

Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Gun-Launched Guided Projectile: Background and Issues

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Congressional Research Service Washington United States

Personal Author(s):

• O'Rourke,Ronald

Report Date:

2020-10-15

Pagination or Media Count:

47.0

Abstract:

Three new ship-based weapons being developed by the Navy solid state lasers SSLs, the electromagnetic railgun EMRG, and the gun-launched guided projectile GLGP, also known as the hypervelocity projectile HVPcould substantially improve the ability of Navy surface ships to defend themselves against surface craft, unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs, and eventually antiship cruise missiles ASCMs.The Navy has been developing SSLs for several years, and in 2014 installed on a Navy ship its first prototype SSL capable of countering surface craft and UAVs. The Navy since then has been developing and installing additional SSL prototypes with improved capability for countering surface craft and UAVs. Higher-power SSLs being developed by the Navy are to have a capability for countering ASCMs

Descriptors:

• guided projectiles
• lasers
• RAIL GUNS
• GUN LAUNCHED
• HYPERVELOCITY PROJECTILES
• drones
• laser beams
• laser weapons
• SOLID STATE LASERS
• directed energy weapons
• weapons effects
• naval vessels

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Fire Control and Bombing Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE