Directed Energy Weapons
Sources and Resources
Report of the High Energy Laser Executive Review Panel
Department of Defense Laser Master Plan, March 24, 2000
Developing Speed of Light Weaponry
Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate brochure
Directed Energy/Space-Based Laser
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) The Directed Energy (DE) program continues the
process of integrating high power chemical laser components and technologies developed over the
past 10 years specifically for the ballistic missile defense boost phase intercept mission.
High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility
The High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF) is located at White Sands Missile Range,
New Mexico. HELSTF has been managed by the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense
Command (USASSDC) since October 1990. HELSTF is designated as the Department of Defense
(DoD) National Test Facility for high energy laser test and evaluation. HELSTF is the home of the Mid Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL), the United States' most powerful laser.
SEALITE Beam Director (SLBD)The SEALITE Beam Director (SLBD) is mounted on top of Test Cell 1. It consists of a large
aperture (1.8 meter) gimbaled telescope and optics to point the MIRACL or other laser beam onto a
target. The high power clear aperture is 1.5 meters. The remaining 0.3 meters is normally reserved for
a tracker using the outer annulus of the primary mirror. The system is extremely agile and capable of
high rotation and acceleration rates
http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/program/dew.htm
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Sunday, 28 December 1997 - 11:26:21 AM
