U.S Navy now have laser weapon deployed with permission to use.

CNN are reporting that the LaWS laser weapon has proved totally useful in tests.

LaWS is affordable and very accurate. It is now operational and "the commander of the Ponce is now authorized to use it in defence of the vessel".

Here is the link to the article:

Navy: New laser weapon works, ready for action

Link to video:

www.cnn.com...


Ok, I am thinking this is a good idea as far as weaponry goes. I am a pacifist, but I can see many positives here. It's "flawless" accuracy, affordability, even its environmental impact in terms of explosives and debris are real positives. The only debris from destruction of targets will be the target itself and the explosion from its own components. The accuracy is a great plus because we know how many mistakes are made that way with much of current weaponry.

This particular laser does have limited use on targets. Its use is as a defence against drones, helicopters and smaller ocean craft.

Lasers are sure to become more powerful and this technology will evolve.



Peace!

Pew Pew Pew....


That's where my knowledge of lasers begins and ends.

Wicked cool though. Go US Navy!

a reply to: lonesomerimbaud

Its use is as a defense against drones, helicopters and smaller ocean craft.

Because the primary threat, a score of sea skimming hypersonic attack missiles will quickly overwhelm it.

During WWII the close quarter defense of ships was undertaken with "phalanxes" of anti air aircraft weapons, even then the issue was in doubt. Propeller driven Kamikazes still got through.

Knowing the USA these lazer type weapons will be used on Protestors along with the water cannon.

Not sure about a refective surface or clouds stoping the lazer from bringing missiles down and having a slight spin on the missiles would spread the heat across its surface.

The rail guns seem like a better option to me was it not for the speed of light

originally posted by: BlastedCaddy
Pew Pew Pew....


That's where my knowledge of lasers begins and ends.

!

ROFL..

a reply to: intrptr

Well spotted. That makes a lot of sense. Well may be here is the answer to that threat?

I think the space deployed lasers are not far away. SDI, Reagan's people called it. A dream then and almost a reality now. "Fascinating" as Mr Spock would say.

a reply to: lonesomerimbaud

With the smallest schrapnel impact on the front optic aperture, the next time this multi-million dollars gizmo try to fire, it will release its magical smoke.

IMHO this is just good to produce spontanous human combustion on those awfull pirate...

originally posted by: BlastedCaddy
Pew Pew Pew....


That's where my knowledge of lasers begins and ends.

Wicked cool though. Go US Navy!

Like this?
Phasors on Stun

a reply to: VirusGuard

Did someone say my name? ^__^

Yes, Railguns are already being tested on Navy crafts, and they should be slated for full deployment sometime in the near future. Their capability not only for incredible stopping power but long range applications could really add to any naval warship's arsenal.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: lonesomerimbaud

Its use is as a defense against drones, helicopters and smaller ocean craft.

Because the primary threat, a score of sea skimming hypersonic attack missiles will quickly overwhelm it.

That's a real thing?

a reply to: lonesomerimbaud

Well may be here is the answer to that threat?

Like the OP says they are working on it. Problems associated with time between blasts associated with recharging the laser, bad weather, range and tracking issues are far from being worked out.

A laser like this needs to hold on target long enough to heat the skin of it , induce fire and through that cause the destruction of the inbound threat.

Maximum range is not as far as say a cannon round with a proximity warhead. No matter how far out the round still goes 'boom' when close to the intended target. The laser loses energy quickly in air, especially air with fog and or rain in it.

The ability to strike multiple targets with a single laser is limited by the time it takes to track and "burn" holes in one target, recharge and engage another. All computer driven and subject to machine "decisions".

Wave of the future, though.

originally posted by: JohnnyCanuck

originally posted by: BlastedCaddy
Pew Pew Pew....


That's where my knowledge of lasers begins and ends.

Wicked cool though. Go US Navy!

Like this?
Phasors on Stun

More like this...

When I was YouTube'n Pew Pew Pew for something witty I found that. I know they are not using lasers but its funny.

a reply to: BlastedCaddy

That's a real thing?

Afraid so. While the US Navy continues to build air craft carriers, other navies have been developing methods to counter them.

Iran, China, Russia and India all have arsenals… among other things. Undersea rocket mines, new classes of diesel subs deploying rocket torpedoes, and a variety of missiles. Lasers don't reach under the ocean, either.

google images

Videos

destroyed the targets we designated with near-instantaneous lethality."

That`s impressive, when I read laser I assumed that it would take at least 5-10 seconds to heat the target enough to destroy it.

At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides

again,that`s impressive they can destroy a multi million dollar target for about $1

The weapon performed without failure in conditions of high wind, humidity and temperature, the Navy said

not affected by humidity or temperature, that`s a plus.

The only question I have is what`s the maximum range?
That`s probably a secret.

I`m wondering if has a far enough range so they can sit offshore and use it against land targets?

ETA: I watched the video at the link and it says the laser has a 10 mile range.

a reply to: Tardacus

Those stats are misleading.

Near instantaneous… depending.

a dollar a shot… when added up over the lifetime of deployment.

And like you wondered, range, due to fog or rain will have a direct effect on that "Instant lethality".

Test aren't always performed in ideal conditions, but selling the weapon is always based on ideal results.

a reply to: ScientificRailgun

Yes these babies can speed a lump of cheap metal up to such as speed that the air friction creates a flame as if its been shoot from a cannon.

Lots of capacitors and thick copper windings would be cheap to make but the gun must be heavy and would need to housed so that it can keep level as the ship moves.

Hitler had some super guns mounted on trains tracks but the barrel of the gun was only good for a hundred shoots and then needed to be thrown away and i suspect these high energy railguns would be the same and won't be much use for sending guided missile/rockets for interceptions.

a reply to: Tardacus

Yes, that is exactly what I thought. You read the article and see how genuinely useful this is. 10 mile range is pretty impressive. This is quite revolutionary. The cheapness of it amazes me, $1 a shot. Lol, whole target destroyed.

Can you imagine at the weapons conventions if/when it is allowed to be sold? It will be like a Black Friday for arms dealers.

If any weapons system worked as good as the manufacturer or general said, there would not be a boat floating or a plane flying anywhere near a war zone. That includes the hypersonic missiles and torpedoes our rivals are supposed to be able to deploy. Every weapon has limitations. This laser is no different, but I will be watching how it develops.

a reply to: VirusGuard

The laser is for a specific use on small craft. It is only part of the arsenal. They see its effectiveness in certain situations.

Lol, like the previous poster said, watch out pirates!

a reply to: intrptr

Of course it's a real thing.... What was I thinking? It's almost 2015. We have starving ppl being murdered all over the globe. We also have supersonic surfing bombs that take out Supercarriers. Everything's super.

Thanks for the info intrptr.