Israel Develops Super Laser
December 30, 2003 :: Israel National News :: News
The Ben Gurion University in Israel has apparently developed what is being called a super chemical laser, far more efficient and powerful than previous models. The Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser is touted as having beaten similar programs in other countries for its efficency and, perhaps most importantly, its small size. The Ben Gurion model uses nitrogen as a dilutent, rather than helium, as does other chemical lasers.
Significant improvements in laser technology would be a significant boost to missile defense programs in general. Lasers are of particular importance due to their speed in interception, which easily overcomes the speed of ballistic missiles and permits boost phase interception, when missiles are most vulnerable. Laser advances would benefit not only to Israeli anti-missile programs such as Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL), but the U.S. Air Borne Laser (ABL) program as well, not to mention better space-based laser programs yet to be developed. The laser of the ABL, for example, takes up the majority of a Boeing 747. (Article, Link)
» Air Borne Laser program description
» More stories on: Space-Based Systems, Technology
» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL), Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL)
Rumsfeld: Missile Defense “America’s Highest Priority”; Space “Fundamental to Modern Warfare”
December 10, 2003 :: Department of Defense :: News
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld today hammered home two key points about the means to provide for the common defense: the priority of missile defense and the importance of space-based defenses. Speaking via video feed to attendees of a missile defense symposium in El Paso, Texas, Secretary Rumsfeld said that defending America, its overseas military and its allies from ballistic missiles laden with weapons of mass destruction “is now America’s highest priority.” State sponsors of terrorism “either have or are working hard to acquire nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction and the long-range missiles necessary to deliver them.” When missile defense “is no longer a dream, but a reality, the world will be a much safer place for Americans, and for all people who long for peace and freedom.” He also gave notice that Alaska’s Missile Defense Space Battalion is slated for activation in January, and praised the Patriot missile crews’ performance during the Iraq war.
Putting space into the context of the “Revolution in Military Affairs,” he observed that “the importance of space and missile defense in this endeavor cannot be overstated.” The importance of space-based systems “will only increase in the future,” he said, calling space as “fundamental to modern warfare” and unfettered access to space “a vital U.S. national interest.” (Article, Link)
» Link
» More stories on: Policy, Space-Based Systems
Russia Not Neglecting Space
October 4, 2003 :: AFPC :: News
The commander of Russia’s Space Troops said in a recent speech that he hopes Russia will “renovate practically all key elements of its space assets” in the five or six years, notes the American Foreign Policy Council, citing a story by Itar-TASS. The AFPC editor notes that in July 2002, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Yakovenko argued that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty does not in fact prohibit signatories such as Russia from putting “other weapons” besides weapons of mass destruction into outer space. This of course raises the question of whether Russia will pursue anti-satellite (ASAT) or space-based missile defenses. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Space-Based Systems
Scientists Issue Report on Boost Phase Systems
July 16, 2003 :: Washington Post :: News
Scientists with the American Physical Society issue a report on the technological limitations of systems such as the air-borne laser to effectively intercept missiles during their most vulnerable stage of flight, the boost phase. This report points to the admitted problems of such half-hearted systems such as the ABL which has a very limited range, while ignoring the potential and desirable solution of space-based lasers. (Article, Link)
» American Physical Society Boost Phase Report
» Scientist Richard Garwin disputes APS report’s contention boost phase missile defense is impractical
» More stories on: Air, Policy, Space-Based Systems, Technology
» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL)
