X-ray lasers: strategic problems and potential as an in-orbit exoatmospheric ballistic missile defense system
The problems and potential of a single proposed ballistic missile defense system, the x-ray laser-armed satellite, are examined in this research. Specifically, the x-ray laser satellite system is examined to determine its impact on the issues of cost-effectiveness and crisis stability. To examine the cost-effectiveness and the crisis stability of the x-ray laser satellites, a simulation of a nuclear exchange was constructed. Two versions of this model were used in this analysis, a deterministic version of a Monte Carlo version. The x-ray laser satellites were assumed to be vulnerable to attack from enemy satellites with limited satellite-to-satellite lethal ranges. Symmetric weapons and force postures were used. Five principal weapon classes were used in the model: ICBMs, SLBMs, x-ray laser satellites, bombers, and endo-atmospheric silo defenses. The cost-effectiveness of the x-ray laser satellites was determined for two different operational capabilities, damage-limitation and assured destruction. The following conclusions were reached. The effects of deployment of a new weapon system on the Triad as a whole should be examined. The x-ray laser was found to have little effectiveness as a damage-limiting weapon for a defender. For an assured destruction capability, x-ray laser satellites could be part of a minimum-cost force mix with that capability.
- Research Organization:
- Carnegie-Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7157825
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
SATELLITES
X-RAY LASERS
SPACE WEAPONS
LASER WEAPONS
SIMULATION
DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS
LASERS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
WEAPONS
990100* - Management
420300 - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)
350200 - Arms Control- Proliferation- (1987-)