Posted on 07/19/2010 4:41:37 PM PDT by Nachum
US firm Raytheon has unveiled its anti-aircraft laser at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire.
The Laser Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) can either be used on its own or alongside a gunnery system.
In May, the laser was used to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a series of tests.
Raytheon said the solid state fibre laser produces a 50 kilowatt beam and can be used against UAV, mortar, rockets and small surface ships.
The idea of using lasers as weapons has been around almost as long as the laser itself, invented in 1960.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Hmm... .I wonder how well that would work in a theatre such as Israel?
flying beebers are not safe any more
CVN need this big-time for ASBM.
More, more..! Faster..!!!
September 11th is only a month or so away and Obama will most likely been planning another flyby in Air Force One.
I don’t think this a “stune” setting.
Airshow demonstration followed by “oops!” commentary?
Wickedlasers
http://www.wickedlasers.com/
Duh, me and my html skillzorz..
*sigh*
Another toy to add to my Christmas list.
This cracked me up...
“Artists representation of what the CIWS laser beam looks like which, in reality, is invisible.”
I suspect that the Israelis are sharing technology with Raytheon. A couple of years ago they were working on and had successfully used a 10kW solid state laser to shoot down multiple small rockets, mortars, and artillery rounds.
Invisible means that the laser will probably be in the high UV range because UV has more power per photon.
Well, I sure hope we’ve locked down enough monazite and other rare-earth minerals...I don’t think we’ll want to be relying on the Chinese.
I thought that was funny too.
The ion cannon from the Empire Strikes Back seemed to disrupt a Star Destroyer which was cool.
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