A laser system for defense applications consists of three subsystems. the first is the laser subsystem that generates the high-power beam. second is the beam control subsystem, which obtains information from the command and control subsystem on the initial position of the target, optically acquires the target and delivers the beam to the target. the beam control subsystem includes a beam director and pointing and tracking sensors and can also include beam cleanup. third is the command and control subsystem, which includes a radar system for initial acquisition of the target as well as the command and control system to integrate the laser into a full operational system.