Review of Directed Energy Technology for Countering Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars (RAM): Abbreviated Version

The United States Army is looking for ways to defend against missile and mortar attacks. In this book, the National Research Council assesses a plan to create a 100 kW mobile, solid-state, laser weapon that could defend an area several kilometers in diameter.

The NRC provides several recommendations:

• A 100 kW Laser is of limited value, so the program's goal should be a 400 kW weapon.
• The Army should proceed with the program in stages, focusing first on a rugged transportable platform for the weapon using existing 25 kW laser technology, then directing resources toward 100kW and 400 kW weapons.
• The Army should perform a detailed, quantitative study of the effectiveness of a high energy, solid-state laser weapon against future threats.
• The Army should continue to participate in U.S.-based and international research on high-energy lasers and related equipment. The committee found substantial benefits for the Army's solid-state laser program from other programs outside the Army.
• The Army should conduct risk-assessments that investigate the effects that a high energy laser may have on other airborne platforms in the vicinity of the target.
• The Army should study eye safety for both the operators of the laser and for civilians. The results of these studies should be integrated into the development of the weapon.