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.

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.