How adaptive optics may have won the Cold War

Robert K. Tyson

doi:10.1117/12.2010801

29 May 2013 How adaptive optics may have won the Cold War

Robert K. Tyson

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Proceedings Volume 8725, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications V; 87250S (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2010801
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

While there are many theories and studies concerning the end of the Cold War, circa 1990, I postulate that one of the contributors to the result was the development of adaptive optics. The emergence of directed energy weapons, specifically space-based and ground-based high energy lasers made practicable with adaptive optics, showed that a successful defense against inter-continental ballistic missiles was not only possible, but achievable in a reasonable period of time.

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Robert K. Tyson "How adaptive optics may have won the Cold War", Proc. SPIE 8725, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications V, 87250S (29 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2010801

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