AAWSAP DIRD, Laser Lightcraft Nanosatellites, November 2010

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UNCLASSIFIED//rOR: orrlCIAL USE O14Lf
Enemy/
Air-to-Space
Ballistic Missiles
(Ballistic Threats)
JI
Air Launch:
/
H~12 km
/
V~M0.8
/
Figure 15. Air-to-Space Concept: Appropriate rotation and translation of a high-energy laser
beam, emanating from a moving aircraft, guides and propels a Lightcraft toward a nearly
head-on collision with an incoming ballistic missile; intermittently, the laser illuminates the
target for guidance updates and for terminal semi-active seeker homing and end-game
maneuvering C26l.
ASSUMED LASER AND LIGHTCRAFT LIMITATIONS
Beamed power levels achievable with envisioned high-energy laser technology are
assumed to be no more than about 10 MW for ground/sea-based lasers, and no more
than about 2.0 MW for the much lighter and smaller airborne lasers installable on
Boeing 747, B-1 Lancer, or C-130 subsonic aircraft. Lightcraft takeoff masses no more
than about 20 kg can be accelerated to orbital velocities by maximum ground/sea­
based laser power levels, and Lightcraft takeoff masses no more than about 4 kg to 8
kg, depending on the magnitude of velocity and acceleration needed, can be
accelerated to very high velocities by the lower allowable masses and power levels of
airborne lasers.
LIGHTCRAFT TRAJECTORY AND MISSION LIMITATIONS
Identified trajectory and mission limitations l261 are:
• Small allowable angle between centerlines of the laser beam and Lightcraft
vehicle axes before significant thrust reduction occurs.
• Small allowable angles-of-attack (angle between Lightcraft centerline and velocity
vector) before significant thrust reduction occurs.
• Limited capability for engaging multiple missile or aircraft threats in allowable
time interval because of relatively long laser beam-riding time against each
threat.
Additional Lightcraft hardware needed for some tactical missions (261 include:
UNCLASSIFIED{fFOA QFFIEiIAL ~81!! 8HLY
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