Beam Weapons describes the technology and uses of high-energy laser and particle-beam weapons both on the battlefield and in strategic defense against nuclear attach. Technical issues covered include high-energy lasers, particl beams, x-ray lasers, microwaves, pointing and tracking systems, beam delivery, reliability, and atmospheric effect on beams.

Potential missions covered include missile defense, antisatellite weapons, aircraft use, and battlefield weapons. This book also covers the Reagan administration's "Star Wars" program, prospects for development of practical beam weapons, and their implications of rmilitary strategy and global policy.