DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
JOURNAL OF DIRECTED ENERGY

High-Energy Laser Weapons for the Fleet

Roger D. McGinnis
        Naval Sea Systems Command, 5432 Carlin Navy Yard, Washington, DC 20376

and

Alfred Skolnick
    System Science Consultants, 5432 N. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington Virginia, 22203

A historical retrospective of Navy high-energy laser (HEL) development is combined with a comprehensive discussion of mission-related motivations for ultimate operational usage of HEL weapons in the Fleet. Discussion is provided that highlights the changed circumstances over the past two decades that have renewed Navy interest in directed energy weapon opportunities. The unique characteristics of HELs relative to both today’s operational needs and future Navy requirements are reviewed. Current status and future prospects for particular laser device development paths as well as special technology challenges (beam control) facing the eventual delivery of practical and useful weapon systems are discussed. These issues are all addressed from the perspective of the authors, sea-experienced naval officers and seasoned program managers, who have held or currently hold full accountability for Navy directed energy weapon progress.

KEYWORDS: Directed energy weapons, Future prospects for Navy laser weapons, High-energy lasers, History and status of Navy laser weapons, Navy