ABSTRACT
Buck Rogers may have been the first US officer to plan for the use of the ray gun. A great deal of the support for current laser research comes of necessity from the military in many countries. The material contained is unclassified and is from current literature. These are Communication, range finding, tracking – ground, air, sea, weather reconnaissance, metalworking, nondestructive measurement, defensive weaponry, offensive weaponry, laser field surgery, miscellaneous. Communication systems are perhaps the most important. Infrared surveillance systems with image converters offer very excellent use for night work. A laser ranger of Ferranti in England is an infrared ruby or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. Laser defensive weaponry may include the detection of satellites and the possible interception by intense laser beams. Laser radar, or lidar, may also be used for weather reconnaissance. As indicated, laser drilling and welding have been used in the aircraft industry especially for accurate drilling in rounded surfaces.
