Directed Energy: A Look to the Future

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Abstract:

It is incumbent upon every Air Force officer to support the current fight however, senior leaders, especially those on the Air Staff, must prepare the Air Force to take the fight into the next decade and even the next half century. As technologies mature, we continually assess their impact and enable our forces to embrace the capabilities they offer, all the while readying ourselves for any vulnerability they create when exploited by our foes. At a minimum, directed energy DE will be a game changer, but it has the potential to create a revolution in military affairs. In anticipation of what I believe will prove an integral part of our force-application capabilities within 10-20 years, I wish to arm the readers of this journal with some important information. To begin, I outline where DE technologies are today, followed by a review of four programs critical to the Air Force the Airborne Laser ABL, the Advanced Tactical Laser ATL, the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project CHAMP, and the Active Denial System ADS. I then review the vulnerabilities we face and discuss the challenges to fielding these systems. I conclude by addressing the efforts we are undertaking as an Air Force to prepare for the arrival of DE weapons in air, space, and cyberspace.

Author(s):
Scott, David ; Robie, David L.
Author Organization(s):
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AIR FORCE (OPERATIONS PLANS AND REQUIREMENTS) WASHINGTON DC
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Supplementary Note:
Published in Air & Space Power Journal, v23 n4 p6-12, Winter 2009.
Pagination:
0008

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
AU-AFRI
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_7.1.1_Prevent Kinetic Attack; JCA_7.1_Prevent; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_2.1_Planning and Direction; JCA_2.1.2_Develop Strategies; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts
Modernization Areas:
Directed Energy
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*AIR FORCE, *CHEMICAL LASERS, *DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS, *HIGH ENERGY LASERS, *MICROWAVES, *NONLETHAL WEAPONS, *VULNERABILITY, DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, DESTRUCTION, GUIDED MISSILE DETECTION, GUIDED MISSILE TRACKING SYSTEMS, HARDENING, INFRARED DETECTION, LASER TRACKING, SOLID STATE LASERS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Lasers and Masers, Directed Energy Weapons, Radiofrequency Wave Propagation
Keyword(s):
ABL(AIRBORNE LASER), ATL(ADVANCED TACTICAL LASER), CHAMPS(COUNTER ELECTRONICS HIGH POWER MICROWAVE ADVANCED MISSILE PROJECT), ADS(ACTIVE DENIAL SYSTEM), TACTICAL BALLISTIC MISSILE DESTRUCTION, HIGH POWER MICROWAVE WEAPONS, FIBER LASERS, DENA(DIRECTED ENERGY NET ASSESSMENT)
Report Date:
2009 Jan 01
Creation Date:
2014 Apr 28