Navy Tests Super Precise Laser Weapon in Persian Gulf

defenseone.com ^ | December 10, 2014 | Patrick Tucker

[Berlin_Freeper]

... The laser system offers a counter-drone alternative that, at an estimated cost $1 per shot, is far cheaper than ship to air missiles and far safer for ship crews than gun-powder based traditional ordnance. Klunder put the actual cost at closer to 59 cents per shot, which he contrasted to a standard missile, which can start at $750,000 but reach up to $2 million per unit.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Laser Weapon System (LaWS)

[Dr. Thorne]

They’ll need it if they fly the POS F-35.

[MrB]

Clandestine photo taken during development:

[Steely Tom]

The laser system offers a counter-drone alternative that, at an estimated cost $1 per shot

Well to be fair that's not counting the billion-dollar ship it is mounted on, and the capital cost of the laser, its power supply, etc.

But still, its good. Kinda changes the whole drone attack equation, at least as it relates to the Navy.

I'm still waiting for someone to fly a drone into Area 51. The window won't be open forever.

[Regulator]

Good. So deploy it to the Mexican border which is where the real war is.

We already proved that domestic oil production is enough to control world supply to us, and if the Sauds need the Straits patrolled, they can liberate some cash and do that. No reason for us to defend OPEC and their screw you tactics towards American fracking.

Mexico is tearing apart our nation. Iran is a threat to Israel, and almost non-existent as a threat to us. If Iran gets a nuke, we can contract the hit to Netanyahu.

In the meantime, I don’t want my kid bowing to Mexican thugs as they take over the Southwest, and install a buddy in the White House.

They can practice vaporizing Mexican narcotraffickers with the nice little beam weapon.

[KarlInOhio]

But how many shots does it take to knock out a target? Were those explosions in the video caused by single shots or hundreds of individual $1 pulses?

[DannyTN]

Would you believe you are surrounded by 10,000 Navy seals with super precise laser weapons?

[no-to-illegals]

Would never have come to be without Former President Reagan and SDI

[thefactor]

As cool as these weapons are and as amazing the technology is, it scares the crap out of me. The things they could eventually be used for...

[no-to-illegals]

maybe soon warp drive ...

[Sgt_Schultze]

I can’t see any utility to laser weapons. In all the sci-fi movies, folks being shot at by lasers regularly dodge the incoming beam. It’s really curious that people are so much faster than a burst of light when a slow, old-fashioned bullet drops them cold.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

THOUSANDS of $1 pulses would be cheaper than ANY weapon the Navy has in inventory...other than some 5.56 rounds.

[no-to-illegals]

186,000 mps ... yep ... catch a light beam and one is nine minutes from nearing the Sun ... Gonna be fun to ride a light beam!!!

[SpinnerWebb]

“Would you believe one circus seal with a flashlight?”

[BenLurkin]

Coolest aspect of this....

[UCANSEE2]

I can’t see any utility to laser weapons. In all the sci-fi movies, folks being shot at by lasers regularly dodge the incoming beam. It’s really curious that people are so much faster than a burst of light when a slow, old-fashioned bullet drops them cold.

Maybe they should put some laser sights on those laser guns, then they wouldn't miss.

[Vinnie]

Against the Geneva Convention to shoot a human with a laser. Huh??

[MaxMax]

This is misinformation, they’ve already developed the Super Duper Uber Laser.

[Yo-Yo]

As cool as these weapons are and as amazing the technology is, it scares the crap out of me. The things they could eventually be used for...

Like making popcorn from orbit.

[Scrambler Bob]

And you need to factor in Renewable Energy:

Cost to take solar and wind electricity, beam it to a satellite, and beam it back to the ship.

This is all working out SO GOOD.