Tech 101: High Energy Lasers

While high energy lasers (HELs) have intrigued the public, policymakers, and military leaders for decades, these weapon systems have often struggled to make it past the testing stage of development. A notable example, the Air Force’s Air Borne Laser (ABL), was capable of megawatt power and had successfully shot down several ballistic missiles, yet struggled to achieve desired range, beam quality, and cost effectiveness, and was subsequently shut down. However, recent years have seen promising advancements in laser technology, particularly with solid-state and fiber lasers. Substantial funding is now dedicated to the development of HELs, and it is increasingly likely that this technology will transition to programs of record. In all likelihood, laser technology will have a permanent and increasingly important role to play in future defense strategies. This presentation will discuss the basics of laser technology, illustrate the importance of laser weapons to the Department of Defense (DoD), and provide an overview of ongoing DoD and government activities to develop and deploy laser technology.