Loren Thompson argues that the real threat to U.S. spy satellites is not from enemy anti-satellite weapons or jamming devices but from irrelevance due to the increasing reconnaissance capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Loren Thompson looks at the possibility of "photonic warfare" or the military use of electromagentic weapons. He argues that if the Pentagon uses these directed-energy weapons in a war with Iraq, then "a revolution really is at hand and Saddam Hussein could be its first casualty."
John N. Hostettler, Vice Chairman of the Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism in the U.S. House Armed Services Committee delivers remarks on how directed energy weapons (specifically space-based lasers) can benefit the U.S. space control effort.
Loren Thompson reviews the military potential of directed energy weapons at a recent U.S. congressional forum.