The Department of Defense's High-Energy Laser Technology Program--Direction and Focus

GAO reviewed the High-Energy Laser Technology Program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Since the late 1960's, DOD has been pursuing the technology to determine the feasibility of developing high-energy laser weapon systems. If proven to be useful weapons, lasers could destroy or incapacitate selected targets. According to DOD, such weapons could provide significant supplements to existing weaponry and fill voids in some mission applications in both the tactical and strategic areas. In addition to speed, other expected advantages are that the weapon would be less affected by the evasive maneuvering of targets, would provide multi-engagement and rapid retargeting capabilities, and would minimize collateral damage.