Laser hardened missile casing

A thermally protective covering for a structure includes a thermally ablating layer comprising a nonporous ablative material comprising pyrolytic graphite or carbon composites bonded to a rigid, nonporous insulating layer comprising composites having high strength fibers in an insulating matrix. The insulating layer is bonded to the casing of the structural element to be protected. More preferably, the thermally ablating layer comprises pyrolytic graphite and the rigid, nonporous insulating member comprises silica phenolic. The ablating layer is bonded to the insulating layer with a high temperature graphite cement having adhesive properties to at least 3000 DEG K. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for venting pyrolysis gas produced during exposure of the ablating layer to a high energy laser.