Military Laser Technology And Systems

A number of experiments carried out in the last two decades, have led to the development of lasers as the next generation weapon system. A number of defense companies are carrying out research in this field and have achieved varying degrees of progress in constructing a high energy weapon. Laser technology has observed great scientific developments and engineering improvements that make it usable for various commercial, industrial, medical and scientific applications. There is variety of lasers available in the market today with different wavelengths, spectral bandwidth, power levels, operating efficiencies and temporal characteristics. This increasing maturity of lasers and compact optical systems has enhanced their capabilities for military operations. Military officials have indubitably always been interested in laser technology, even before the first laser was invented. Especially, since these devices can bring technological revolution in warfare, when used as range- finders, target designation, sensors, active illumination, data relay devices, directed energy weapons, weather modifier and much more.This book will be of valuable to students and practicing engineers providing with practical study of laser applications, used by the military, to carry out tactical operations on the ground or space-based platforms.

This new resource provides an insight into the physical principles of the device technology that underpins many laser-based military systems in one form or another. From this knowledge a deeper understanding of the fundamental requirements and the potential performance, as well as limitations of such systems may be assessed, given the appropriate operational parameters. Engineers and students are provided with practical advice on how to evaluate laser devices and systems, operate them safely, and train with them.

Recent advances in ultra-high-power lasers, including the free-electron laser, and impressive airborne demonstrations of laser weapons systems, such as the airborne laser, have shown the enormous potential of laser technology to revolutionize 21st century warfare. Military Laser Technology for Defense, includes only unclassified or declassified information. The book focuses on military applications that involve propagation of light through the atmosphere and provides basic relevant background technology. It describes high-power lasers and masers, including the free-electron laser. Further, Military Laser Technology for Defense addresses how laser technology can effectively mitigate six of the most pressing military threats of the 21st century: attack by missiles, terrorists, chemical and biological weapons, as well as difficulty in imaging in bad weather and threats from directed beam weapons and future nuclear weapons. The author believes that laser technology will revolutionize warfare in the 21st century.

Handbook of Defence Electronics and Optronics Anil K. Maini, Former Director, Laser Science and Technology Centre, India First complete reference on defence electronics and optronics Fundamentals, Technologies and Systems This book provides a complete account of defence electronics and optronics. The content is broadly divided into three categories: topics specific to defence electronics; topics relevant to defence optronics; and topics that have both electronics and optronics counterparts. The book covers each of the topics in their entirety from fundamentals to advanced concepts, military systems in use and related technologies, thereby leading the reader logically from the operational basics of military systems to involved technologies and battlefield deployment and applications. Key features: • Covers fundamentals, operational aspects, involved technologies and application potential of a large cross-section of military systems. Discusses emerging technology trends and development and deployment status of next generation military systems wherever applicable in each category of military systems. • Amply illustrated with approximately 1000 diagrams and photographs and around 30 tables. • Includes salient features, technologies and deployment aspects of hundreds of military systems, including: military radios; ground and surveillance radars; laser range finder and target designators; night visions devices; EW and EO jammers; laser guided munitions; and military communications equipment and satellites. Handbook of Defence Electronics and Optronics is an essential guide for graduate students, R&D scientists, engineers engaged in manufacturing defence equipment and professionals handling the operation and maintenance of these systems in the Armed Forces.