W.J. Schafer Associates has proposed an architecture for a laser system capable of not only beaming power from a ground site to space, but also capable of intercepting theater missiles during their boost phase for defense of ground troops in regional conflicts. The system comprises a ship-based multi-megawatt laser and beam control system, a relay mirror package mounted on a high altitude, long endurance, unmanned lighter-than-air vehicle, and a sensor package, mounted on the balloon, which directs the laser beam to the target and can also provide an early commitment of ground based kinetic energy interceptors. A system concept is presented, as well as an assessment of system effectiveness.
|