Integration of Adaptive Optics Into High-Energy Laser Modeling And Simulation

Implementing adaptive optics can substantially increase the effective range of high energy lasers used in directed energy weapons systems.

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California

The U.S. Navy is constantly predicting future threats and contemplating new weapon technologies to counter them. One of those technologies is directed-energy (DE) weapons. Conventional weapons rely on the kinetic energy of projectiles. High-energy lasers (HELs), one type of directed-energy weapon, work in a fundamentally new way, using electromagnetic radiation to damage or destroy enemy assets.

High-energy lasers offer several advantages over conventional weapons, including the delivery of energy at light speed, a low cost per shot, virtually unlimited magazines, ability to rapidly engage several targets, and the ability to operate discreetly. Despite the many advantages, DE weapons also have some disadvantages to conventional weapons, including a high susceptibility to performance degradation in challenging atmospheric conditions.