SCI-340 on High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Technology, Opportunities, and Challenges

Lecture Series 

to be held in Alfeite, Portugal, 01-02 December 2022

The meeting is open to citizens from NATO nations, and STO EOP countries (Australia, Finland, Japan, and Sweden).

Theme

High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems are emerging as a new kind of weapons system that could replace or complement existing line-of-sight kinetic weapons. It should be expected that future conflicts will feature the use of HEL weapons by and against joint, multinational coalition forces. Use by non-state actors also should be expected.

HEL weapons offer the unique opportunity for speed-of-light engagement with a highly precise weapon. As achievable laser power levels increase, the breadth of potential HEL targets increases and the required spot-on-target engagement time decreases. As with kinetic weapons, there is a recognized potential for collateral damage from engagement “splatter” (i.e. shrapnel or shock wave from a kinetic weapon, and spillover or reflections from an HEL).

This LS will address the strengths and limitations of HEL, as well as some of the myths, misperceptions and inaccurate expectations. It will carefully lay out the elements of an HEL, identifying state of the art as well as research directions and expectations. Safety and associated risks will be addressed explicitly. To provide context, an operationally-realistic HEL engagement scenario will be identified and discussed as a unifying thread within each of the LS segments.

Topics

The Lecture Series scientific topics will include:

• Laser weapon technologies and system architectures
• Atmospheric propagation
• HEL target effects and lethality
• Laser safety, damage effects, and risk analysis
• HEL integration into a command and control system
• Research into higher power lasers and improved optics
• NATO activities involving HEL weapons

For more details about the event, please take a look at the General Information Package (GIP) and brochure on the right upper side.

Should you have any administrative questions related to this lecture series, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .