Future Weapons: Solid-State Lasers

by John McHale Military & Aerospace Electronics, May 2006 Even the most casual observer of military technology is aware of the U.S. Air Force’s big-ticket program-the Airborne Laser, which eats up most of the Department of Defense funding on laser technology and is nearing completion. Despite this high-profile large chemical laser program, however, U.S. military leaders are placing their research efforts on solid-state laser technology to get laser weaponry into the hands of the warfighter on the ground. Read more