The comparative evaluation/analysis of the initiation technologies currently being used, and the advanced initiation technologies currently being developed lot the aerospace and defense applications was performed. The evaluation criteria used were the compliance, performance, reliability, safety, and cost. The results clearly indicate that there is no one single initiation technology that will satisfy entire spectrum of initiation system requirements. Each initiation system architecture would require different initiation technologies that will satisfy the overall system performance requirements. However, laser initiation, particularly, the laser diode initiation has been getting more attention in recent years. The laser diode initiation, for most part, eliminates EMI and ESD concerns. In addition, laser diode initiation system can also be designed into relatively small packages, are optically connected systems by very light weight cables, are relatively easily designed to meet variety of initiation system requirements. Due to the these compelling factors, laser diode initiation has potential of becoming common initiation systems for many different aerospace and defense application.