Laser Weapons - Are They Feasible?.

The requirements which a laser weapon has to fulfill to be useful and the feasibility of construction of laser weapons in the foreseeable future are considered. The destructive effect of the laser on a target, the focusing of coherent light, control, atmospheric effect, and high energy laser are discussed in turn. It is concluded that, for the time being, gas dynamic lasers should serve as the basis for discussion of possible military applications.