Posted on 01/23/2015 7:55:06 AM PST by shove_it
The Laser Weapon System or LaWS is a directed-energy weapon developed by the United States Navy. The weapon was installed on the USS Ponce for field testing in 2014. In December 2014 the United States Navy reported the LaWS system works perfectly, and that the commander of the USS Ponce is authorized to use the system as a defensive weapon.
The technical issues associated with the addition of LaWS (Laser Weapon System) to the Phalanx CIWS (Close in weapon system) will be somewhat different from those associated with adding a LaWS system to other weapon systems—or the provision of a “stand-alone” LaWS—they do not appear to be insurmountable. For example, a LaWS beam director might be added to the stabilized Mk 38 Mod 2 25mm gun or the Mk 46 Mod 2 30mm gun. A LaWS beam director might be added to (or even substituted for) the Mk 46 EO Sight on DDGs or added to the trainable RAM launcher. Other options may exist as well.
The Navy fiber SSL (solid state laser) effort is the Tactical Laser System (TLS)—a laser with a beam power of 10 kW that is designed to be added to the Mk 38 25 mm machine guns installed on the decks of many Navy surface ships. TLS would augment the Mk 38 machine gun in countering targets such as small boats; it could also assist in providing precise tracking of targets.
A system such as LaWS could provide graduated lethality from warning to destruction. It also could provide additional applications to minimize risk to sea base platforms and enhance sea shield capabilities against nonstate threats. If acceptable rules of engagement can be established, the advantages of graduated lethality might be extended to ships in port or entering/exiting harbors. (photos & vid at link)
Yeah, a 12 inch with a Crimson Trace just doesn’t feel natural.
They'll assign laser shooting to the Electronics Mates.
Glad to see this.
The laser might be able to reach further out, help to quickly service multiple targets in a swarm attack, and conserve ammo.
As long as you have power, you never run out of ammo.
We’ll live to see the day when conventional weapons will be obsolete. No bullets, no rockets, no Phalanx. Just lasers and other weapons systems that may not even be invented yet.
I wonder what a hit by that laser in say the cockpit of a Malaysian Airlines aircraft would look Iike? Maybe a pinpoint shot designed to take out comms and other sensors and the resultant fumes would disable if not kill the crew?
What kind of message would that send to the Chinese?
Yup, I got a tinfoil hat and I am not afraid to use it.
On the other hand, a radar-guided Phalanx system might be able to engage a target through a fog bank that would disperse a laser beam to the point of ineffectiveness.
Neither rain, nor fog, nor wind stops Boeing’s laser weapon destroying targets
http://www.gizmag.com/boeing-laser-directed-energy-weapon-fog/33672/
Wonder what effect it has an a live human target.
Crispy critter. Ever seen the original Star Wars and what happens to uncle ben and aunt beru?
I think you mean Uncle Owen....Uncle Ben makes rice!
Eliminate warts, moles, age spots and minor wrinkles in the blink of an eye.
Uncle Owen. But I get the point you’re making.
CC
Theoretically, I think all these lasers could be integrated and guided by ships with the Aegis’ weapon system. Even on ships without advanced sensors, lasers could still be deployed.
but in bad weather and such they still need their regular guns, right?
LOL! Oops
could they be added to the CIWS?
cool
Chemical produced KE has advantage that Lasers do not.
1 Over the horizon
2 Nor or Low electrical requirement
3 LONG term storage of energy
4 Area effect per single round (fragmentation)
Directed energy has its place but do not expect Chem KE or Electric KE (next gen ship guns) to fade away any time soon.
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