NCJ Number
223262
Journal
Studies in Conflict & Terrorism Volume: 31 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 434-455
Date Published
May 2008
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article describes and analyzes trends in terrorists' use of laser weapons and offers concluding thoughts about the future in this arena.
Abstract
Laser weapons have numerous advantages over conventional weapons. These include the speed of light; energy concentrated on the target; straight line of flight; extreme standoff potential; silence; invisibility (if infrared); no requirement for large quantities of ammunition; unique wounding of the eyes, charring, and lacerations; and debilitating psychological impact. The seriousness of the emergent threat of terrorist laser weapon use has grown steadily over the years due to a variety of trends. These include the military transition from conventional weaponry to directed-energy weapons, recognition of the tactical and operational advantages of laser weapons, and reduction in laser costs and increases in performance. From organizational, legal, religious, and ethical perspectives, terrorists have no qualms about using laser weapons. Terrorists achieve accessibility to sophisticated weaponry through interactions with various criminal networks and rogue states, such as drug cartels, insurgents, mercenaries, arms merchants, other terrorist groups, and state sponsors of terrorism. For the future, the author's best guess is that it will be 3 to 5 years before laser weaponry will be in the hands of terrorists. He advises to begin planning for this future terrorist weaponry-use contingency. 37 notes