Posted on 03/12/2024 9:47:54 AM PDT by algore
A deadly laser weapon which can blow up drones and hypersonic nuclear missiles at the speed of light has been revealed to the public in newly declassified footage.
The video shows Britain achieving its first high-power firing of the Dragonfire laser weapon, as it successfully destroyed a drone in the sky using the system's death ray.
In these secret trials at the Military of Defence's Hebrides Range, the weapon proved so accurate it could hit a £1 coin half a mile away, with each 'shot' said to cost around £10.
Its full range remains classified, but the invisible 50kW beam can cut through targets using it 'pin-point accuracy' and does not require any ammunition.
The weapons platform, which military chiefs say will revolutionise the battlefield of the future, could one day be used to annihilate fighter jets, warships and hypersonic missiles.
'The laser-directed energy weapon engages targets at the speed of light, using an intense beam of energy to cut through objects, leading to structural failure.'
Built by scientists in the UK, the weapon system is a £100million collaboration between the Government's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and industry partners such as Leonardo and Qinetiq.
The tech could one day be used to sink boats and damage warships, bring down military warplanes and even destroy deadly Russian hypersonic missiles, which are so fast they could travel from Moscow to London in nine minutes.
Although the tests have been hailed as a success, it is not yet known when DragonFire could enter service.
Because of the energy needed to power it, it is expected to be fitted to warships of the Royal Navy, or to be used as permanent air defence platforms on land.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The Duke wrote: “Shoot it at the enemy!”
One could only do that following an exhaustive analysis by the environmental agencies.
Seriously, a British Colonel once asked if we had any studies of the carcinogenic effects of a coating on the flechettes in the aerial rockets. Their human rights and enviromentalists were concerned that the flechettes might cause cancer if left in the bodies of those who survived flechette rocket attacks.
He was told that the best way to limit the occurance of cancer in those who were targeted by flechettes was to fire two rockets which would limit the survivors.
It leaks
Bookshelf wrote: “Can I assume you have some relationship to Dugway Proving Ground?”
Not really. I worked at DPG almost 30 years ago for about 15 months as a chemical warfare decontamination analyst. The bio labs were closed the entire time I was there. I accepted a job there out of desperation after Clinton’s defense cuts in the mid-90s.
Why do you ask?
"We ran out of ammunition."
MikelTackNailer wrote: “LOL! Reminds me of the Florida sheriff who, along with his deputies, totally swiss-cheesed a perp who shot at them. When a smarmy reporter asked why they fired 38 rounds into him the sheriff replied: “We ran out of ammunition.””
I liked the 60 minute segment (1990s) on this holigan who was terrorizing a small rural community. His actions were well documented in the segment as well as the fact that the local police were afraid to act.
One afternoon, he was gunned down in front of the popular local dinner by several members of the community. The police couldn’t find a single soul that saw the incident even thought the dinner was full at the time.
60 Minutes asked one of the locals what he thought of this and he replied: “Some folks just need killin.”
Big issue will be the true lifetime cost, as in how much will it cost to replace what needs replacing after 1,000 shots.
That’s what killed enthusiasm for railguns: yeah, the electricity is cheap, but the rails only last for a few shots.
I was EOD at Indian Head, Md. The Chem Corps commanding officer there was one of two people to have survived a nerve gas attack that entered a leaking suit. He had not a hair on his body. I just wondered if the base was still active.
“ The weapons platform, which military chiefs say will revolutionise the battlefield of the future, could one day be used to annihilate fighter jets, warships and hypersonic missiles.”
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Really? I’m not holding my breath waiting for THIS “weapons platform” to accomplish ANY of that.
I remember that story. It’s very instructive as to what happens when the police either refuse to or are prevented from doing their jobs.
L
Bookshelf wrote: “I was EOD at Indian Head, Md. The Chem Corps commanding officer there was one of two people to have survived a nerve gas attack that entered a leaking suit. He had not a hair on his body. I just wondered if the base was still active.”
Indian Head was a great place. We did a lot of work with IH on rocket propulsion.
I’ve not been to DPG since I left in 1996. Interesting place. It’s still in operation as far as I know. Of course most of those I worked with a probably retired now. I’ve heard they’re doing some drone testing now.
bkmk
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