Laser Weapons
Wednesday 10th November 2010, 1400hrs–1530hrs
Chaired by Hans Dieter Ehrenberg 300 kW Laser Substitution for Heavy Duty Frigate SHORAD/VSHORAD Mr André Buhart, Thales Group, France In the next few years, fibre laser developments will enable the operation of 300kW embarked laser weapons (LDEW300). This class of power opens a new field of operational concepts, including the traditional SHORAD/VSHORAD. To respond to these missile or artillery threats, as well as some flares or countermeasures, 300kW of optical power opens a theoretic range of 15 kilometres in clear and still atmosphere. The LDEW300 is constituted of an aerial turret supporting laser baskets and a lower, in-hull laser pumping station. This weapon would be given a target by the crew through a classical target designation system, and could provide a graduated response, including an intimidation function by non-lethal, visible lasers, as well as a selective multiplex mode to focus several beams on one target or to handle several targets at once. The concepts of operations will be influenced by a deeper integration of the LDEW system into the CMS, with wider automation, by the suppression of any reload operation, by the visual identification before shooting, by the need for an accurate determination of the area to be pointed/destroyed, by a rapid damages assessment, and if necessary, by a rapid re-engagement. For safety reasons, these concepts of operations will also take into account any uncontrolled laser sweep, and camcord any operation for legal ends. Possible conops extensions include counter wire-guided ManPADs defence, maximal alert from the early reconnaissance of an abnormal behaviour (optical reconnaissance of a VSHORAD launcher), fire detection and laser-to-target servo-control, and in-flight interception. Fully Autonomous System for Ships in Charge of Police Operations Embedding a 150 kW Laser Mr Laurent Faivre, DCNS, France Bruno Sifantus, DCNS, France Maritime security ships need to perform a reliable round-the-clock all around-the-ship watch. Fibre lasers developments will allow new types of weapons to appear in the next few years. A Laser Directed Energy Weapon of 150kW, integrated into the CMS with crew in the loop could become a good replacement for classical weapons equipments. Its embedded optronic suite is able to perform the watch, possibly using a telemetric laser for distance tracking. Upon decision of the crew, the LDEW150 could provide a graduated response, including an intimidation function by non-lethal, visible lasers. For instance, the concept of operations for a LDEW150 onboard a Projection and Command Ship (French BPC) or onboard a military supply tanker could lead to the disappearance of every other classical weapon, except a light 12.7mm gun. For OPVs or coast-guard ships equipped by a LDEW150, the only remnant classical weapon would be guns, only additional capability required to fulfil their self-protection and police missions, fishing surveillance, piracy control and so on. Furthermore, LDEWs do not require explosives and ammunition to be stocked onboard. For further safety reasons, these concepts of operations will also take into account any uncontrolled laser sweep, and camcord any operation for legal ends. Possible conops extensions include inter-platforms coordination and synchronisation, for example to treat a heavier threat from multiple ships focusing on the same impact point. Legal Limitations of Using Laser Directed Energy Weapons from a Naval Platform Vice-Admiral (ret) Xavier Rolin, Thales Group, France Laser weapons have long been researched for various effects, some of which are under the rule of international conventions. The Geneva Convention, mostly cited as prohibiting the use of anti-personnel landmines or sub-ammunition devices, also regulates the use of lasers as intentionally blinding weapons, in its 4th protocol. However, the usage of lasers as energy carriers (Laser Directed Energy Weapons, or LDEW) to hinder or destroy nonliving targets seems not to fall under this protocol. What other legal limitation could there be on the use of laser weapons on the battlefield, especially in the naval context?
The naval operations are characterised by several legal conditions, the first one being that most of the maritime operations today are international police operations fulfilled in international waters. The specific legal regulations on international waters must be cautiously studied to ensure that using a laser weapon at sea does not contradict previous directives. Furthermore, the use of any weapon is submitted to strong regulations, as they must be justified, sometimes in court. The specific physical principles of LDEWs allow the system to embed such proof gathering systems, such as video cameras, able to provide the justice with sound material. The implications of these legal issues will be of two kinds: on the concept of operations of these LDEWs, and on the qualification processes.
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