First there was conventional war. Then there were the Drones Wars. Now we see a new ‘sexy’ weapon enter the scene – a weapon which will be no stranger to readers of Asimov , Clarke and Roddenberry.
No sooner has the spectre of drones above the streets of the Western ( and Eastern) World been brandished as ‘the way ahead for security and overseas operations’ than the same boffins of the military complex reveal a weapon to make drones nigh on unusable.
Anti-drone lasers were unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow last week and according to a BBC report , makers Raytheon said
” …the solid state fibre laser produces a 50 kilowatt beam and can be used against UAV, mortar, rockets and small surface ships. ”
By comparison , a coffee machine uses 1 kilowatt. Another test , this off the Californian coast , saw 5 x 5 kilowatt lasers down 4 incoming drones without fuss. A spokesman for Raytheon said
” One of the Navy’s problems is that the bad guys have UAV’s now.” How true.
The company refuses to say what distance lasers have , though admit it is a lot further than the current guns mounted on Navy Patrol Vessels.
As we enter a nightmare scenario of war without end , sci-fi writers will be rubbing their hands at possible scenarios.
Full Report HERE
19. July 2010 at 11:54 am
Good scoop, Peter.
It’s like a real-life video game.
Fine… Shoot down drones, mortars, and rockets, and leave people out of it. – If only.
There is no enemy, but they sure do manage to keep the MIC in business. What a waste.
It makes me wonder more about the former Polish President’s plane. – Oh but that’s kooky talk!
19. July 2010 at 12:54 pm
Yes indeed – Laser warfare has steadily been developing – Here’s Raytheons press release too… http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1600&pagetemplate=release