U.S. Navy Deploys Its First Laser Weapon in the Persian Gulf

[BobDiaz]

U.S. Navy Deploys Its First Laser Weapon in the Persian Gulf

U.S. Navy Deploys Its First Laser Weapon in the Persian Gulf - Bloomberg

Interesting read and it includes a video too.

> 30kW laser (video says 50kW)
> up to 10 miles range
> Cost per shot $1
> Bad weather shortens range
> $40,000,000 (US $) to develop
> If test successful, expected roll-out to Navy in 2017
> can be fired in several modes -- from a dazzling warning flash to a destructive beam
> "Unlimited rounds", I assume there is a limit on how many you can fire over time


Bob Diaz

 

[Sta]

I was awaiting this with bated breath. Thanks for sharing, would probably never have found out it was actually deployed!
Can't wait until we can use planes equipped with this to blow up Daesh (ISIS.)

 

[USAbro]

I think I've been shown this video 14 times now.

Very cool indeed. I wonder what kind of system is used. I heard it is 10,600nm light but I could be wrong. Definitely not a diode laser!

 

[Sta]

I think I've been shown this video 14 times now.

Very cool indeed. I wonder what kind of system is used. I heard it is 10,600nm light but I could be wrong. Definitely not a diode laser!

Oh no, of course it is a diode! It must be one of those new 520's </sarcasm>

Anyways, I do think it is 10.6um. That would be CO2 which is the easiest laser to get at ridiculous powers like that. Also, it is totally invisible to us, so that would be consistent with this system.

 

[USAbro]

Oh no I thinks it definitely a DPSS 589nm. I'm certain.

 

[blasterman]

The prototype focuses the light from six solid-state commercial welding lasers on a single spot,

Tend to indicate this is a big IR projector?

I thought the military was looking closer at bigger, chemical pumped pulse lasers, but this may be a direction that's more feasible given it's off the shelf technology.

Still, would be quite a hoot lighting up some inflatable Somali pirate skiffs.

 

[ChaosLord]

According to the article, it uses six solid state commercial welding laser, so not CO2. My bet is pulsed YAG.

 

[upaa27]

According to the article, it uses six solid state commercial welding laser, so not CO2. My bet is pulsed YAG.

This.

Although I love lasers, I do not see how humane it would be to fire a death ray that literally makes you pop. Way too painful and horrible of a death.

 

[USAbro]

It's for drones and terrorist who kill people by making their throats go "pop" open with a knife.

 

[Sta]

This.

Although I love lasers, I do not see how humane it would be to fire a death ray that literally makes you pop. Way too painful and horrible of a death.

Hey, it is cheap
But also, take note that this is mostly going to be used to destroy drones, which do not have a human operator. Also, it is a disincentive (Who would want to burn to death? )

 

[upaa27]

It's for drones and terrorist who kill people by making their throats go "pop" open with a knife.

That's what guns are for.

 

[i73770k]

So how soon can i pre-order one??

 

[Sta]

That's what guns are for.

Yes, but to take down a drone you need a missile. And missiles are extremely - EXTREMELY - expensive. Something like 50000 dollars apiece, or more. This costs one dollar to fire. Much much cheaper.

 

[BobDiaz]

I wonder how long until we see something like this in DTR's Shop?

All jokes aside, I found a second article:

http://rt.com/news/205711-us-laser-weapon-persian/

... and a nice video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX-yKgKthSE


It seems very likely to me that this is going to become more and more common for Military Applications. It's really hard to out run a beam of light.


Bob Diaz

 

[ixfd64]

Too bad it has a horribly large beam diameter.

 

[SilverFire]

Too bad it has a horribly large beam diameter.

And horribly good divergence to take out targets 10 miles away