Laser Guided Military Growth

The use of lasers for military applications is rising every year. The armies across various different countries use a myriad of laser systems for their specific combat tasks and actions. Traditional troops of land forces, artillery, air defense, and aviation forces today recognize the laser as a major operational element in increasing their accuracy and effectiveness during combat operations. They are also part of various training modules in the educational process of military servicemen in military schools and universities.

The advantages of using laser weapons in military operations depend on the tasks to be solved. The tests that have been carried out yielded that they were very fast and were able to strike at targets with the speed of light (300,000 km/s). Targeting without waiting (both in height and in the side directions) and capable of  Quick targeting opportunities, agile, and in a short period can intercept several targets or one single target multiple times (compared, for example, with missiles or projectiles already launched to reach the goal).

The absence of the possibility to shoot down a striking beam (as a projectile or a rocket) cannot be distracted by a heat trap, It is also resistant to jamming systems (resistant to electromagnetic interference), etc. and low price ranges are the biggest advantages in comparison with some classical means of destruction (exceptionally cost-effective when compared to conventional ammunition, with each laser shot costing as little as one US dollar).

The ability to control the shot power that allows you to hit different targets at different distances. High localization of destruction, makes it possible to use such systems, for example, in urban conditions without incidental losses. The relative silence of the shot and invisibility for the eyes (for IR, UV ranges, especially pulsed lasers), Logistic support of the combat use of laser weapons (especially based on solid-state lasers) is much simpler than for several classical systems of defeat

 Laser technology is introduced in military affairs according to specific guidelines that have been developed in the following areas, Laser location (ground, air, underwater), Laser communication, Laser navigation systems, Laser weapons, Laser systems for missile defense, and anti-satellite protection.

The first laser was developed in the 1960s and it was the beginning of a drastic change in the way the military sees war. At the time of the Cold War, the US government relied on military strength through technological advances and, in the 1960s, multiplied its budget. Following that in 1962, according to ‘Aviation Week and Space Technology”, the Department of Defence alone promoted lasers spending about 1.5 million US dollars. Continuing it in the late 1970s and 1980s was difficult in terms of laser development in different types of weapon systems and their application. All branches of the military and industry have sought to master high levels of laser output power, beam management, and the creation of appropriate optics.

In 1999, the Department of Defence (US) officially recognized the lasers as future weapons and started research and development. Following in 2000, the Joint Technology Bureau for High-Energy Lasers was created to bring all laser technologies together to develop a comprehensive laser weapon system that could be used by the Air Force. With continued advances in laser development in recent years, modern laser weapon systems have become a reality and an important part of the weaponry 

Today, though, the United States, China, India, and Russia, amongst others, are all actively pursuing directed energy weapons. The U.S. has gone as far as deploying a prototype laser weapons system on a small number of its warships, though they have never been fired in combat as far as is publicly known.

The technical challenges remain significant. Laser weapons require enormous electrical power along with, in some cases, complex arrays of volatile chemicals. While they reach their target effectively instantaneously, their effect depends on heating the target to the point where it suffers structural failure, which can require the system to remain trained on what can be a small, rapidly-moving point target for an extended period. Keeping the beam focused over meaningful distances through inconsistent atmospheric conditions is challenging – after all, no commander wants to go into battle with a weapons system that doesn’t work in the rain.

During the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Russian side claimed to deploy its Laser weapon system as an anti measure against one of its main menaces in Ukraine: Drones. With its drones, the Ukrainian military has managed to catch the Russian army on the back foot on several occasions. In addition to the military drones delivered by NATO countries, Ukrainians have tracked and attacked Russian targets with their own self-made and commercial drones. At a conference, Russia claimed that Zadira had already shot down a Ukrainian drone in five seconds at a distance of 5 kilometers. Russia says it could also use its weapon to dazzle satellites and military cameras and detectors.

Conclusion

The sophisticated technology can be the biggest game-changer for Militaries all over the world, in terms of cost, efficiency, and infrastructure. This is a futuristic armament that is capable of solving suspected problems arising with Technological advancements of mankind, for instance, the protection of Outerspace infrastructure and satellites.