Posted on 07/19/2017 12:05:06 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The laser, known as the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), may seem as though it were pulled straight from a James Bond movie, but it's entirely functional and can shoot with stunning accuracy, the U.S. Navy told CNN. The LaWS is currently deployed aboard the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport ship, in the Persian Gulf.
"Operationally, it works just like a laser pointer," Lt. Cale Hughes, a LaWS officer, told CNN. "There's a chamber inside with special materials that release photons."
...
The $40 million system requires a team of three to operate it and a small generator to power its electricity supply, according to the Navy.
...
In addition to being able to take down threats in the air, the LaWS can hit and disable objects in the water.
...
Under Geneva Convention rules, armed forces are not allowed to use laser weapons directly against people, reported Optics.org, a site that tracks the photonics industry. The U.S. will abide by that protocol, Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, chief of naval research, said in 2014 at a news conference in Washington, D.C., according to Optics.org.
The U.S. Navy is already developing second-generation systems that might be able to target threats other than drones and water vessels. These missions are classified, but when asked whether the LaWS could shoot and destroy missiles, USS Ponce Capt. Christopher Wells said "maybe" and smiled, according to CNN.
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Baloney. We had laser weapons when I was in and that’s a LONG time ago.
The big questions are how many shots per minute, and how many shots before something expensive needs to be replaced?
Because a nice sterile, straight line beam of light is much worse than a hunk of lead that shatters into a dozen pieces and rips your body to shreds...But that's "World Government" logic for you....
You might want to add, “How fast can it engage separate targets?”
Not like this!
the LaWS can hit and disable objects in the water.
On the water and “in” the water are two different things.
Quite a while back the army was developing a laser weapon that was designed to blind a gunner through the optical train of a sight system. But the purpose of the system was to maim, rather than kill. So the system was dropped as it was a violation of the Geneva convention.
But since many of our enemies, especially in the Middle East, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE GENEVA CONVENTION RULES as they are terrorists, do not wear uniforms, etc. we can blast away at them. I’d also put fat boy Kim Jung in that category!!!!
Funny.
I am pretty sure that the Battlefield Laser Scanner system which we decided to put in mothballs at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow rather than deploy was very much a laser weapon.
I am also pretty sure that 1981 happened before today.
Genny will try to ban private ownership of guns some day.
Can’t get global government otherwise.
Does it have a pistol grip, folding stock or bayonet mount? That would make it REALLY dangerous!
...and hilarity ensued....
Yes, but they were probably a lot more than $40 million and not as practical.
confirm
Best bad guy Bond line ever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.