Posted on 09/03/2008 5:40:19 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko
Laser weapons may be a battlefield reality by the end of 2008
Laser weapons are an interesting subject that has been a staple of science fiction and movies for decades. Laser weapons will become a reality on the battlefield at some point -- though exactly when that point will be is a subject of debate.
When it comes to laser weapons there are two basic types: chemical and solid-state. The chemical lasers are powered by chemicals that would make them hazardous on most battlefields to the soldiers deploying the weapon systems. That makes the solid-state laser a more viable option for many weapon systems.
According to Wired, Northrop Grumman has told the Pentagon that it will have weapons grade lasers by the end of 2008. Northrop says that it will have a 100 kilowatt laser -- the strength widely considered the starting point for military grade weapons. That amount of power would be effective against rockets and mortars in flight.
To reach the 100-kilowatt threshold Northrop uses what it calls Laser Chains. The laser will use eight Laser Chains to achieve the full 100-kilowatt power. Northrop has tested the first two laser chains and was able to achieve a peak power of 30kW for over five minutes continuously and more than 40 minutes total. Northrop also reports that electrical-to-optical efficiency was greater than 19 percent.
A Northrop representative is quoted by Wired saying, "We are completely confident we will meet the 100 kW of power level and associated beam quality and runtime requirements of the JHPSSL Phase 3 program by the end of December, 2008."
DailyTech reported in August that Boeing had successfully ground tested the Advanced Tactical Laser aircraft's laser with a successful firing at a ground target.
Northrop Grumman— we are defining the future!!!
Nice.
Let Pooty-poot outrun a laser!
cool!
Is this one of those unproven missile defense systems that Obama wants to cut?
:>)
Such weapons will redefine war at sea.
No. Obama is not going to cut this weapons system until after he’s leaked it to the Chinese.
If BHO is elected, his folks will have it converted to make really cool laser light shows.
We’ll ooh and Ah our enemies to the negotiating table.
—Sincerely, Dr. Evil
No, only ill-tempered sea bass.
|
Shows are best with Boston or Led Zepplin......
You can have my laser rifle when you pry it from my cold dead hands!
When do I get mine?
Ahh, the birth of the infinite repeater! (If you are not a fan of Keith Laumer you won’t understand)
throw me a freakin bone here
No weapon is proven until it is used successfully on the battle field against the enemy.
So under Obama there would never be a new weapon deployed.
The last time I looked at this, the laser required a system the size of about 2 diesel locomotives and required enough energy to power a medium sized city for about a month.
That said, the radars are getting much better and can target and fix mortar rounds and rockets in flight. A laser beam can destroy these projectiles in flight under controlled testing conditions. But, this is a long way from having a real combat capability that can be employed in a real combat environment.
and I didn’t spend six years at evil medical school to be called mister, LOL
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.