Emerging military technologies : directed-energy weapons, hypersonic weapons and lethal autonomous weapon systems / Jerry Shields, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Shields, Jerry, editor.

Series:

Military and veteran issues.

Military and veteran issues

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Military weapons--United States.

Military weapons.

Directed-energy weapons.

Autonomous weapons systems.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (321 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Snova, [2025]

Summary:

The U.S. military has long relied upon technological superiority to ensure its dominance in conflict and to underwrite U.S. national security. In recent years, however, technology has both rapidly evolved and rapidly proliferated--largely as a result of advances in the commercial sector. This development has threatened to erode the United States' traditional sources of military advantage. The Department of Defense (DOD) has undertaken a number of initiatives to arrest this trend. This book provides an overview of selected emerging military technologies including: directed energy weapons; hypersonic weapons and lethal autonomous weapons.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Emerging Military Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress0F(

Summary

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI)5F

United States

China

Russia

International Institutions

Potential Questions for Congress

Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS)51F

Hypersonic Weapons70F

Directed Energy (DE) Weapons106F

Biotechnology

Quantum Technology163F

Potential Implications of Emerging Technologies for Warfighting

Issues for Congress

Funding Considerations

Management

Personnel

Acquisition

Intellectual Property

Supply Chain Security

Technology Protection

Governance and Regulation

Oversight226F

Chapter 2

Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies230F(

Artificial Intelligence

Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

Hypersonic Weapons

Directed Energy Weapons

Quantum Technology

Chapter 3

Defense Primer: Directed-Energy Weapons231F(

Overview

Directed-Energy Weapons Programs

Potential Issues and Questions for Congress

Technological Maturity

Weapons Characteristics

Mission Utility

Defense Industrial Base

Intelligence Requirements

Coordination within DOD

Chapter 4

Department of Defense Directed Energy Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress232F(.

Summary

Overview of Directed Energy Weapons234F

Selected Defense-Wide Directed Energy Programs240F

Selected Air Force Directed Energy Weapons Programs258F

Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR)

Phaser High-Powered Microwave

Counter-Electronic High-Power Microwave Extended-Range Air Base Defense (CHIMERA)

High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS)

Self-Protect High-Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD)

Selected Army Directed Energy Weapons Programs278F

Directed Energy Maneuver-Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD)281F

Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL)287F

IFPC-High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM)293F

Lasers on Next-Generation Army Combat Vehicles

Selected Navy Directed Energy Programs301F

Solid State Laser Technology Maturation (SSL-TM)

Optical Dazzling Interceptor, Navy (ODIN)

SNLWS Increment 1 (HELIOS)

High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP)

Layered Laser Defense (LLD) System

Potential Issues and Questions for Congress321F

Cost

Coordination Within DOD

Arms Control

Appendix A. Potential Advantages and Limitations of Directed Energy Weapons335F

Potential Advantages of HEL Weapons

Potential Limitations of HEL Weapons

Potential Limitations of HPM Weapons

Appendix B. Funding for Directed Energy Programs

Potential Advantages of HPM Weapons

Chapter 5

Directed Energy Weapons: Science and Tech Spotlight338F(

Why This Matters

The Technology

Opportunities

Challenges

Policy Context and Questions

Selected References

Chapter 6

Directed Energy Weapons: DOD Should Focus on Transition Planning339F(

Abbreviations

Why GAO Did This Study

What GAO Recommends.

What GAO Found

Background

DE Weapons Technology

Potential Benefits of DE Weapons

Possible Limitations of DE Weapons

Technology Development Process

Prototyping

Technology Transition

DOD and Military Departments Have Undertaken Steps to Coordinate on and Develop Multiple Types of DE Weapons

DOD and Military Departments Have Undertaken Steps to Coordinate, Test, and Develop Processes to Support DE Technology Development

DOD Has Operationally Demonstrated Multiple DE Weapons Capabilities

DOD Is Pursuing Higher Power Weapons for Improved Capabilities

Two Military Departments Have Not Consistently Taken Steps to Support DE Technology Transition

DE Weapons Technology Faces Barriers to Transition

Navy and Air Force Leadership Have Not Consistently Taken Key Steps to Support Expected Transition to Acquisition Programs

Army Leadership Takes Steps to Support Expected Transition of DE Weapons to Acquisition Programs

Navy Leadership Has Not Taken Key Actions to Support Expected Transition of DE Capability

Air Force Leadership Has Not Consistently Taken Key Steps to Support Expected Transition of DE Capability

Navy and Air Force Do Not Consistently Document How They Collect, Track, and Incorporate Feedback

Army Tracks How User Feedback Is Collected and Incorporated

Navy and Air Force Do Not Consistently Document How They Collect, Track, and Incorporate User Feedback

Conclusion

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Comments and Our Evaluation

Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

Appendix II: Comments from the Department of Defense

Appendix III: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments

Contacts

Staff Acknowledgments

Chapter 7

Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress370F(

Programs.

U.S. Navy

U.S. Army

U.S. Air Force

DARPA

Hypersonic Missile Defenses440F

Infrastructure

Programs

Mission Requirements

Funding and Management Considerations

Industrial Base and Supply Chain

Strategic Stability

Appendix. U.S. Hypersonic Testing Infrastructure541F

Chapter 8

U.S. Hypersonic Weapons and Alternatives542F(

At a Glance

Notes

How Did CBO Compare Planned Hypersonic Weapons and Possible Alternatives?

What Did CBO Find?

Comparison of Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles and Ballistic Missiles

Challenges Ahead for Hypersonic Missiles

What Are Some Limitations of CBO's Analysis?

Part 1: Hypersonic Missiles and Their Policy Implications

Basics of Hypersonic Missiles

What Is a Hypersonic Missile?

Design Challenges for Hypersonic Flight

Heating and Thermal Shielding

Stability and Maneuvering

Communications and Targeting

Scramjet Technology

A Brief History of U.S. Hypersonic Research

Technology for Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles

Technology for Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

DoD's Current Hypersonic Missile Programs

The Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon

The Navy's Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike

The Air Force's Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon

Other Hypersonic Programs

OpFires Launchers

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

The Path Forward for U.S. Hypersonic Missiles

Policy Issues Related to Hypersonic Missiles

Nuclear Ambiguity

Crisis Instability

Part 2: Scenarios That Define Potential Requirements for Hypersonic Missiles

Other Scenarios

Part 3: Comparing the Capabilities of Hypersonic Missiles and Potential Alternatives

Range

Responsiveness.

Estimating Average Speeds of Missiles

Responsiveness of Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles and Ballistic Missiles

Short Range

Intermediate Range

Long Range

Responsiveness of Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

Responsiveness of Subsonic and Supersonic Cruise Missiles and Subsonic Bombers

Importance of Positioning

Survivability

Survivability of Launchers

Survivability of Missiles

Benefits of Flying at Lower Altitudes

Benefits of Flying Unpredictable Trajectories

Net Effect on Survivability

Overall Effectiveness in an Antiaccess and Area-Denial Environment

Trade-Offs Between Weapons' Characteristics

Comparing Flight Distances Within Time Limits

Maturity of Weapon Systems

Part 4: Comparing Options for Planned Hypersonic Missiles and Alternatives

Characteristics of the Missile Options

Option 1: Intermediate-Range, Ground- or Sea-Launched Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles (Similar to LRHW/IR-CPS)

Missiles Deployed on Land

Missiles Deployed at Sea

Option 2: Intermediate-Range, Ground- or Sea-Launched Ballistic Missiles Equipped with MaRVs

Option 3: Medium-Range, Air-Launched Hypersonic Boost-Glide Missiles (Similar to ARRW)

Option 4: Short-Range, Air-Launched Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (Similar to HACM/HALO)

Option 5: Short-Range, Ground- or Sea- Launched Ballistic Missiles (Similar to SM-6 Block IB)

Costs of the Options

Effectiveness of the Options

Option 4: Short-Range, Air-Launched Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (Similar to HACM/HALO).

Option 5: Short-Range, Ground- or Sea- Launched Ballistic Missiles (Similar to SM-6 Block IB).

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on online resource ; title from title page (Ebook Central, viewed September 24, 2026).

ISBN:

979-88-95306-37-6

OCLC:

1524420053