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Author Topic: Laser gun fired from US navy ship  (Read 1610 times)

DavieTait

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Laser gun fired from US navy ship
« on: April 12, 2011, 08:28:24 pm »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13033437

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyTRhw8qmHE

The US Navy has fired a laser gun from one of its ships for the first time.

Researchers used the high-energy laser (HEL) to disable a boat by setting fire to its engines off the coast of California.

Similar systems had previously been tested on land, however moist sea air presented an extra challenge as it reduces a beam's power.

The navy said that ship-borne lasers could eventually be used to protect vessels from small attack boats.

The US military has been experimenting with laser weapons since the 1970s.

Early systems used large, chemical-based lasers which tended to produce dangerous waste gases.

More recently, scientists have developed solid state lasers that combine large numbers of compact beam generators, similar to LEDs.
HELs fire

Laser on board US navy ship The US Navy system uses a Joint High Power Solid State Laser mounted on deck

Until now, much of the development of HELs has focused on shooting down missiles or hitting land-based targets.

The latest round of tests showed its wider possibilities, according to Peter Morrison from the Office of Naval Research.

"This test provides an important data point as we move toward putting directed energy on warships.

"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.

While a weaponised system would likely be restricted to military vessels, merchant shipping has also expressed an interest in laser technology.

A gun which uses visible laser light to temporarily blind pirates was announced by BAE Systems in 2010.

The technology is still being tested, ahead of a commercial launch
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Davie Tait,
Scotland

meechingman

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Re: Laser gun fired from US navy ship
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2011, 09:56:08 pm »

Hmmmm, seems impressive but can you imagine....as "moist sea air presented an extra challenge as it reduces a beam's power......"

"Fire phasers, Mr Sulu!"

"Er, it's raining, sir!"  :}
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DavieTait

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Re: Laser gun fired from US navy ship
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2011, 10:31:33 pm »

This would probably only be of any use in hotter areas of the world , think off Iran.... be about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in hell in Scotland though lol if its not raining its windy and up here that means sea spray so nice way to add to global warming lol
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Davie Tait,
Scotland

richtea

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Re: Laser gun fired from US navy ship
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2011, 11:36:39 pm »

By the time they are battle ready,
the only navy well have left will be Victory and Warrior.  :((
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Bryan Young

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Re: Laser gun fired from US navy ship
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2011, 05:05:38 pm »

Perhaps I could remind you of the Laser fit we had fitted on a "Tide" class RFA back in 1987 for possible use in the Gulf during the period of the "Armilla" patrol. This was intended to temporarily blind the pilots of attacking aircraft. The"weapon" needed massive amounts of cooling water. It was probably tested (successfully) in Arctic waters but was a complete dead duck in the (hot) waters of the Gulf. BY.
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