By Lt. Col. Arthur McFadden, U.S. Air Force, Retired
Monday, March 29, 2010

Throughout history, nations rise and fall - often suddenly - on the strength of game changing tactics. These are the pivotal times when once-powerful militaries are suddenly defeated by the unforeseen impact of a weapon or maneuver that was new to them.

Each of these evolutionary changes ends one epoch in warfare and starts a new one, only to eventually be replaced by another. Each in its time changed warfare: bronze weapons, then steel; the bow and arrow; the short sword; the Grecian phalanx; Roman discipline and organization; cavalry; the English longbow, guns, then cannon; sailing ships replaced oars, then steam; the tank; the airplane; the jet engine; the atomic bomb and many more.

Such changes, in hindsight, are starkly significant. When developing, they can be controversial or misunderstood. It often takes a major war to unveil their true military value.

The next "game changer" is upon us and has the potential to revolutionize warfare. It is called airborne laser. It is just that: a laser mounted on a loitering aircraft. It is a defensive weapon that fires a beam with incredible accuracy and distance, instantly destroying a target, and is instantly reloaded and ready for another shot, if needed.

In a recent test, this still developmental system actually shot down a missile. Fully developed, the science is there for the system to shoot down a hostile or errant missile on the launch pad or shortly after launch. The contribution this system would make to U.S. security - and our allies - is nearly beyond description. A clear advantage is that the debris and explosion from the missile remain over the nation that fired it, preventing collateral damage to the United States.

The use of laser instead of another missile to take out a hostile missile - or once developed, even a threatening enemy fighter or bomber - advances the goal posts just as other major powers are getting too close for comfort in areas such as development of fifth-generation fighters, cyberspace, space itself, surface-to-air missiles and surface-to-ship missiles.

Simply put, it could be the difference-maker in U.S. and allied security for at least a generation, preserving peace and the opportunity for continued trade and prosperity.

Amazingly, in the face of this demonstrable success, the most recent federal budget slashed funding for the program. Research continues, slowed by the lack of resources, but no effort is being made to seize the opportunity to complete development and produce this lifesaving technology.

That should change. Immediately.

Currently, Boeing's airborne laser gets $100 million to keep the research on life support. That is roughly the cost of a single jet fighter. As an investment, it is a massive under-appreciation of the tactical advantages of proceeding with this important system.

One of the greatest threats facing the world today is the increasing proliferation of ballistie missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Countries invest in ballistic missiles because they are a means to project power both in a regional and strategic context, and a capability to launch an attack from a distance. At present, sophisticated ballistic missile technology is available on a wider scale than ever to countries hostile, or potentially so, to the United States and our allies. As those countries continue to develop and exchange this technology, there is an increasing threat that it will fall into the hands of hostile nonstate groups. Meanwhile, Russia and China are developing the next generation of these technologies. Both eagerly sell what they build. It is an absolute guarantee that U.S. forces will face high-level equipment, aircraft and missiles over the next few decades. Once in a hot spot, ifs too late to ramp up production of necessary technology. That's why it's vital to be prepared.

Over the coming years, just a handful of aircraft equipped with lasers would suffice to prevent hostilities or end them rapidly with the least possible loss of life. This isn't "Star Wars" or science fiction. In a test the laser was fired and the missile exploded. There's work to be done, and the administration, Congress and Department of Defense need to see the transformative potential of this effort.

The investment will be far less than investing in new ships, tanks or planes, and is the kind of effective, cost-contained project we should be lauding. not scuttling. Consider this: A single missile can cost millions of dollars, but one magazine costs about $60,000.

That is the future. We just need politicians with the foresight and courage to ensure airborne laser is available when we need it.

Lt. Col. Arthur McFadden, of Lookout Mountain, Ga., is retired from the U.S. Air Force.