Assessment of Long Range Laser Weapon Engagements: The Case of the Airborne Laser
Assessment of Long Range Laser Weapon Engagements: The Case of the Airborne Laser
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/08929880903422034
复制
发表时间：
2010-01-01
影响因子：
0.7
通讯作者：
Neuneck, Goetz
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Stupl, Jan;Neuneck, Goetz
本文介绍了一种用于评估激光定向能武器交战的方法。该方法应用基于物理的模型，并已通过实验验证。它用于评估机载激光（ABL）的能力，这是一种用于助推阶段导弹防御目的的系统，正在美国导弹防御机构的监督下开发。提出了对国际安全的影响。本文首先概述了激光定向能武器 (DEW)。值得注意的是，一些激光定向能武器原型最近已投入测试。其中之一是 ABL，一种安装在货机上的兆瓦级激光器。结论是，目前只有 ABL 能够在国际范围内产生重大政治影响。因此，本文的其余部分重点讨论该系统的评估。针对不同场景计算激光强度、目标的诱导温升以及温升对目标机械性能的影响。结果表明，空中防线对弹道导弹的防御能力有限。即使成功的激光交战使导弹弹道偏离预定目标，也会对第三方产生负面影响，因为导弹弹头很可能不会被摧毁。
This article presents a method developed to assess laser Directed Energy Weapon engagements. This method applies physics-based models, which have been validated by experiments. It is used to assess the capabilities of the Airborne Laser (ABL), a system for boost phase missile defense purposes, which is in development under supervision of the U.S. missile defense agency. Implications for international security are presented.The article begins with a general introduction to laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW). It is notable that several laser directed energy weapon prototypes have recently become operational for testing. One of them is the ABL, a megawatt-class laser installed into a cargo aircraft. It is concluded that only the ABL could have significant political impact on an international scale at the moment. Hence, the remainder of the article focuses on the assessment of that system. The laser intensity, the induced temperature increase of a target and the impact of this temperature increase on the mechanical properties of the target are calculated for different scenarios. It is shown that the defensive capability of the ABL against ballistic missiles is limited. Even a successful laser engagement that deflects a missile trajectory from its intended target can have negative impact for third parties, as missile warheads will most likely not be destroyed.