High energy laser transmissions through missile exhaust plumes: the implications for high angle-of-attack (AOA) scenarios

Summary form only given. Performance of new generation joint airborne and seaborne (ABL/SeBL) high energy laser (HEL) systems may prove very reliable for the early, mid and late boost-phase missile targeting, especially within an air and sea battle space environment. This paper examines late boost-phase target exhaust reverse flows (which tend to engulf the ascending missiles); angle-of-attack (AOA) coupled with re-circulation HEL beam attenuation zones; and the effects of speckle and glint on airborne and seaborne HEL systems.