Optimizing the Performance of Directed Energy Weapons with Noise Sources

ABSTRACT: Directed energy weapons (DEW) bring significant advantages to traditional weaponry along with unique design and deployment challenges. The high optical power required for an effective DEW drives a potentially destructive return loss and reflection that can damage laser sources. Use of a noise source embedded in the weapon’s electronics can spread laser coherence, minimize reflection, protect the laser source, and ultimately improve DEW reliability and performance.