The Laser BMD and Other Radiant Energy Weapons: Some Thoughts

This paper opens with a discussion of the ABM Treaty and the particular language in it that presently excludes the deployment of a laser BMD. Eight pressure points are then presented that may cause both the Soviets and the Americans to reevaluate the payoff of such ACD agreements to their overall national security, even to the extent of abrogating the Outer Space Treaty and SALT Phase I. Next an extended presentation of the current state of affairs in the American laser research program is given to show the magnitude of the U. S. commitment to developing radiant energy weapons technology. The paper concludes with a brief excursion into the psychological and strategic systems impact of laser weapons.