Applications and performance of high power lasers and in the battlefield

Abstract This paper reviews the status and applications of a defensive weapon based on high power lasers, in the battlefield. Laser weapon is a novel concept which utilizes high power laser beam to traverse the distance into incoming objects at a speed of light , and then, destroy or disable it. Various types of lasers and configurations will be discussed in this review including gas lasers, solid state lasers, fiber lasers and the free-electron laser. We will discuss various configurations such as airborne laser (ABL), diode pumped crystals and disk lasers as well as heat-capacity lasers. Recent applications of ultrafast solid state lasers for non-lethal or low collateral damage applications will be presented.