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C-PSAD-81-3 1 (1980-12-02)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabcoy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNCLASSIFIED . . .S REPORT BY THE COMPTROLLER THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL OF THE UNITED DEFENSE'S HIGH-ENERGY STATES LASER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM-- DIRECTION AND FOCUS DIGEST The United States has a technology develop- ment program which has the potential to revolutionize warfare, if critical scientific and technical questions can be favorably answered. This technology, referred to as directed energy, is composed of particle, laser, and microwave beams. These beams destroy targets through a narrow beam of electromagnetic radiation or atomic or sub- atomic particles, impacting the target--a revolutionary concept--and are expected to play an ever increasing role in the future. This report discusses one of these three directed energy technologies--the Department of Defense's (DOD's) High-Energy Laser. Tech- nology Program. GAO also reviewed the particle beam program and is reporting separately on it. (See p. 1.) Since the late 1960s, DOD has been pursuing the technology to determine the feasibility of developing high-energy laser weapon systems. If proven to be useful weapons, high-energy lasers could deliver electromagnetic energy to destroy or incapacitate selected targets such as missiles, aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, and space vehicles. According to DOD, such weapons could provide significapt supplements to existing weaponry and fill voids in some mission applications in both the tactical and strategic arenas. In addi- tion to the speed-of-light delivery of dam- aging energy, other expected advantages of high-energy laser weapons are to --be less affected by the evasive maneuvering of targets, --provide multiengagement and rapid retargeting capabilities, and Ia. Shj. Upon removal, the report C-PSAD-81- over ? date should be noted hereon. CCPSAD-81 i .. .116735 , . 40 ......................................................... ..................................................... .. C \ .' ....... ..T