780
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
The history of creating plasma weapons in Russia is still relatively unknown, even
though the main works were deployed as early as in 1970. The main task is to destroy
the missiles launched by the enemy. The works were based on experiments aimed at
creating artificial plasmoids—ball lightnings.
Powering pulsed magnetic hydrodynamic generators (MHD generators) were
developed as a launch device. The generator accelerates the plasma in the magnetic
field and gives it the speed of light and the direction of motion.
Potential plasmoid specifications:
– Internal energy—1000 J;
– Altitude range—0–200 km;
– Possible dimensions—1 cm–50 m;
– Lifecycle—0.1 s–3 min.
In 1974, the two-mirror open resonator DOR-2 was put into operation, and the first
artificially controlled ball lightnings were created.
The advantages of these weapons are high action speed and capacity, large reserve
of “ammunition”, environmental safety, and extensive possibilities of double use.
8.4.3 Laser Weapons
As demonstrated above, lasers, or quantum generators, are powerful emitters of
electromagnetic energy of the optical range. Destructive action of the laser beam
is achieved by heating the target material to high temperatures, which causes its
destruction, damages sensitive elements of weapons and military equipment, blinds
organs of sight and causes thermal burn of human skin.
For space, where atmospheric losses are absent, laser is seen as an effective means
of combating high-speed spacecrafts, hypersound aircrafts, intercontinental ballistic
missiles, SLBM, theater, and tactical ballistic missiles, as well as other air and space
targets at distances between several hundreds and several thousands of kilometers.
Space-based laser weapons today are still considered by military forces of all
countries as one of the most promising means of space and missile defense.
At a certain time, most works dedicated to creation of powerful laser weapons were
focused on the airborne laser (ABL) program. Such laser was created and underwent
all tests on the YAL-1 Boeing 747-400F plane. The studies were requested by the
Missile Defense Agency. In the multi-layered system of the US missile defense, the
main role is played by the first layer, the means of which shall hit ICBM immediately
after launching, within the first 3–5 min of flight, i.e., before separation of warheads.
As noted in Sect. 8.2, ICBM in this flight segment are large and fairly vulnerable
targets that are easier to find and destroy. At the same time, as a result of their
destruction, all warheads mounted on ICBMs with separable head elements will be
disabled immediately.
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
The history of creating plasma weapons in Russia is still relatively unknown, even
though the main works were deployed as early as in 1970. The main task is to destroy
the missiles launched by the enemy. The works were based on experiments aimed at
creating artificial plasmoids—ball lightnings.
Powering pulsed magnetic hydrodynamic generators (MHD generators) were
developed as a launch device. The generator accelerates the plasma in the magnetic
field and gives it the speed of light and the direction of motion.
Potential plasmoid specifications:
– Internal energy—1000 J;
– Altitude range—0–200 km;
– Possible dimensions—1 cm–50 m;
– Lifecycle—0.1 s–3 min.
In 1974, the two-mirror open resonator DOR-2 was put into operation, and the first
artificially controlled ball lightnings were created.
The advantages of these weapons are high action speed and capacity, large reserve
of “ammunition”, environmental safety, and extensive possibilities of double use.
8.4.3 Laser Weapons
As demonstrated above, lasers, or quantum generators, are powerful emitters of
electromagnetic energy of the optical range. Destructive action of the laser beam
is achieved by heating the target material to high temperatures, which causes its
destruction, damages sensitive elements of weapons and military equipment, blinds
organs of sight and causes thermal burn of human skin.
For space, where atmospheric losses are absent, laser is seen as an effective means
of combating high-speed spacecrafts, hypersound aircrafts, intercontinental ballistic
missiles, SLBM, theater, and tactical ballistic missiles, as well as other air and space
targets at distances between several hundreds and several thousands of kilometers.
Space-based laser weapons today are still considered by military forces of all
countries as one of the most promising means of space and missile defense.
At a certain time, most works dedicated to creation of powerful laser weapons were
focused on the airborne laser (ABL) program. Such laser was created and underwent
all tests on the YAL-1 Boeing 747-400F plane. The studies were requested by the
Missile Defense Agency. In the multi-layered system of the US missile defense, the
main role is played by the first layer, the means of which shall hit ICBM immediately
after launching, within the first 3–5 min of flight, i.e., before separation of warheads.
As noted in Sect. 8.2, ICBM in this flight segment are large and fairly vulnerable
targets that are easier to find and destroy. At the same time, as a result of their
destruction, all warheads mounted on ICBMs with separable head elements will be
disabled immediately.