A juridical analysis of directed-energy weapons in the earth-space arena
By: by Edward Anthony Fessler
Contributors: George Washington University
Published: 1978
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Number of pages: 210
Subjects: Lasers; Particle beams; Space law; Space warfare; Arms control; War (International law); Political science; Military applications
Description: An intense arms competition between the two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, has been the preeminent challenge to the maintenance of minimum public order since the close of World War II. Through both bilateral arms control negotiations between the superpowers and a variety of related multilateral agreements involving additional state participants, the minimum public order system may recently have been strengthened. Premised upon the assumption that minimum public order is enhanced if strategically significant instruments of coercion are controlled, these initiatives have sought to prohibit or limit arms through restraints upon the size, type, use and even areas of deployment of major weapons systems. These initiatives have assumed that such restraints serve the minimum public order by reducing incentives to compete in research, development and production of advanced weapons of mass destruction. While these efforts have provided at least a minimal restraint on the existing instruments of mass destruction, they have not served particularly well to discourage overall arms competition between major participant states. Evidence is mounting that the specter of a terrifying new mode of warfare designed to function in an expanded earth-space arena has arisen on the technological horizon.
Notes: "September 1978."

Description based on title screen as viewed on April 14, 2011.

DTIC Descriptors: Mass Destruction Weapons, International Law, Space Warfare, Arms Control, Particle Beams, Advanced Weapons, Laser Weapons, Limitations, Theses, Political Science

DTIC Identifiers: Earth-Space Arena, Directed Energy Weapons

Thesis (Degree in M.L.)--George Washington University, 1978.

Bibliographical references: leaves 181-210.

"Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited."

Also available on line.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

US Navy (USN) author.