LASER WEAPONS: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

Laser weapon uses high-energy targeted EMI, generated by high technology quantum electronics device. Its destructive power is determined by thermomechanical and impact-impulse effect, which can lead to mechanical tearing (meltdown, evaporation or ablation) of assailable object body (rocket, plane etc.) taking into account laser radiation power density. At operation in repetitively-pulsed mode heat effect processes along with impact effect, which is caused by plasma formation. Plasma formation results in generating currents and electromagnetic fields at the surface of a targeted object. Nowadays solid-state and chemical lasers based on HF/DF molecules, having the minimal weight to output capacity ratio (less than 10 kg per kW) are considered the most suitable for combat use. USA specialists consider solid-state laser as one of the most advantageous for mobile basing laser weapon systems, aimed at combating ballistic and air-supported missiles, planes, space vehicles and air and aerospace defense suppression. The last decade is noted by the meaningful progress in the sphere of laser weapons, which is caused by transition from the principle of lamp pumping of its active elements to energy pumping using laser diodes. Moreover, generating emission with several wavelengths allows using solid-state laser not only for force impact on a target, but for functional (smart) damage and for data transfer in the certain weapon system (positioning, target recognition and precision-guided powerful high-energy laser beam).