Uma perspectiva para o desenvolvimento nacional de tecnologia laser em armas de energia direcionada : emprego em meios navais e uso dual para a sociedade brasileira

Abstract

The complexity of the modern world scenario, particularly the threats reported in recent con-flicts, emphasizes the importance of careful reflection on the challenges for national defense. Among these challenges, the country's technological gap in relation to the most advanced na-tions stands out, as does the possibility of technological restriction by these nations. The con-cern is accentuated by the scientific and technological trends pointed out in the future studies of these countries, while the prospective scenarios of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense indicate the insufficiency of budgetary resources for research, development and innovation in the country, also showing an unfavorable forecast for the strengthening of the Defense Industrial Base. A survey of literature dealing with the technological development under analysis, parti-cularly documents available from the Congress of the United States of America, was conducted in order to carry out an analysis about the possibility of developing, through the Brazilian De-fense Industry, laser technology for Directed-Energy weapons with a view to employment in the Navy and with benefits for society. Additionally, research was carried out in Brazilian seg-ments, public or private, with infrastructure or technical-scientific-professional capacity for the development of laser technology, or both, and with the potential to contribute to some of the phases of technological development in question. An analysis was also carried out on the real and future possibilities for the technological development under discussion, in addition to con-sultation with a professional from the Department of Defense Products and a professor and researcher in the area related to photonics, verifying that there is, in the country, basic and applied research involving the use of lasers. However, in order to reach the level of technolo-gical maturity expected for the initial signs of feasibility of the technological development dis-cussed here, there is a need to implement an adequate infrastructure. It was inferred, there-fore, that it would be possible to elaborate a long-term national program of Research and De-velopment, involving the government, academia, and industry, for the autochthonous produc-tion of lasers aimed at Directed-Energy Weapons, with a view to employment in the Navy and with benefits for society, through adequate investments and appropriate government plan-ning.