40 kW Laser Gun

[Lazerbeak]

MBDA says it has generated such high powers by using fiber lasers combined with its own patented beam coupling technology to maintain high beam quality – crucial for the lasers to be effective at large stand-off distances. In recent firing tests, the laser is said to have burned through mortar shells and pierced 40 mm-thick steel plates “in a few seconds”.
MBDA Germany demonstrates 40*kW laser gun

Thank you Steve001 very interesting. Article says Germany so I don't know if this is related, but MBDA UK has this patent application for a laser
Laser - Patent application

Edit: Incidentally, here is the link to MBDA UK's list of patent applications.
http://www.faqs.org/patents/assignee/mbda-uk-limited/

Might be a similar system to the German Laser in the article, if the company shares research. I only can get so much out of it but some of the more well educated may enjoy the read.

~ LB

 

[Nerzhul]

for frying eggs

but I fear it will be too fried

 

[Ninja]

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Weapons Grade High Power Fiber Laser

BOTHELL, Wash., Jan. 28, 2014 – Lockheed Martin has demonstrated a 30-kilowatt electric fiber laser, the highest power ever documented while retaining beam quality and electrical efficiency.

The internally funded research and development program culminated in this demonstration, which was achieved by combining many fiber lasers into a single, near-perfect quality beam of light—all while using approximately 50 percent less electricity than alternative solid-state laser technologies. The unique process, called Spectral Beam Combining, sends beams from multiple fiber laser modules, each with a unique wavelength, into a combiner that forms a single, powerful, high quality beam.

“Lockheed Martin has opened the aperture for high power, electrically driven laser systems suitable for military applications,” said Dr. Ray O. Johnson, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Lockheed Martin. “Advancements in available laser components, along with the maturity and quality of our innovative beam-combining technology, support our goal of providing lightweight and rugged laser weapon systems for use on military platforms such as aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks.”

The successful demonstration marks a significant milestone on the path to deploying a mission-relevant laser weapon system for a wide range of air, land and sea military platforms.

Prior laser weapon demonstrations in the industry showed target acquisition, tracking and destruction. However, these solutions were limited for tactical military use because their laser inefficiencies drove significant size, power and cooling needs not readily supported by key military ground and airborne platforms.

“The high-energy laser serves as the heart of a laser weapon system,” said Dr. Johnson. “This 30-kilowatt milestone shows our commitment to producing the high beam quality and high power needed to address a variety of military ‘speed-of-light’ defensive operations.”

Lockheed Martin has specialized in directed energy laser weapon system development for the past 30 years and purchased Aculight in 2008 to further strengthen its offerings at every level—from expert advice and pioneering research to solid prototyping and flexible manufacturing.

 

[Rhett]

That ain't no demonstration! gimme video :wave:

 

[Nanolaser]

Can it light a candle,...

 

[Roam]

I don't think laser would be used by itself in combat, but rather used in optical proton accelerators, or some other particle beam device.

 

[CheesyWalnut]

could it light a campfire?

 

[Gadget]

Vids, or it didn't happen!

G

the laser is said to have burned through mortar shells and pierced 40 mm-thick steel plates “in a few seconds”.

 

[trencheel303]

40kW laser?
Must be an overspec laserbtb handheld




(I'm joking, the reference is to the fact that many of us are seeing laserbtb deliver lasers 2x or more overspec recently)

 

[ricktrent4]

I would like to see some videos of it working and were did he find a LPM to test that high!

 

[COMMANDR]

Not the 30kw laser video but a 10kw laser tracrking and destroying a rocket in flight.
Pretty impressive.

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Adam Ground-Based Laser System in Increasingly Complex Tests Against Free-Flying Rockets · Lockheed Martin

Another article about the 30kw laser. (be sure to read the 1 comment)

Lockheed Martin develops weapons-grade laser - UPI.com

 

[steve001]

Video of the Lockheed Martin 30KW laser in action
ADAM High Energy Laser Destroys Qassam-like Rocket Target - YouTube

 

[Neel]

To think, less than 100 years ago we hadn't discovered tanks.

 

[upaa27]

... but the user should wear safety glasses?

Depends whether it is in the visible spectrum. If its not then you can stand by and watch. Just dont stare directly at it

 

[Polonium210]

Depends whether it is in the visible spectrum. If its not then you can stand by and watch. Just dont stare directly at it

Might want to rethink that statement... Ever heard of IR, UVA, UVB, UVC?!?! Not within the visible spectrum but still dangerous to your eyesight.

 

[revnedjw]

Sweet, looks like the future is finally here. Just another 10 years or so and everything is going to be like star wars.