Illuminating the risks from high energy lasers with a GIS

A test of a high energy laser system potentially hazards a very large geographic area. Much of the information regarding the people and objects potentially illuminated by the laser is already stored in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Therefore, it is very convenient to integrate the calculation of probabilistic laser illumination with a GIS tool to allow an analyst to easily visualize the potential risks. This also allows for understanding of steps which might be taken to mitigate the potential for hazards. The Advanced Laser Optical Hazards Analysis (ALOHA) program has been integrated with the Flight Safety Analysis GIS (FSAGIS), already in use for debris risk analysis.