US Navy says futuristic laser weapon ready for action. Less than $1 per shot.

[MAJB Retired]

Gives a new meaning to "scorched earth"

 

[woowoo2]

When did the Navy start caring about the cost of ammo?

 

[spaniel]

When did the Navy start caring about the cost of ammo?

I'm sure that's a small consideration in the grand scheme.

With no significant time-of-flight or ballistics to deal with, the ability to reliably hit fast-moving, incoming targets (ie anti-ship missiles) is probably the biggest advance. They said they are developing larger ones for other applications.

 

[glank09]

Maybe we can get a Civilian version for deer hunting. It's power selector could have the options: Well Done, Medium Well, Medium...

 

[EOD Guy]

Not to brag or anything but...I got to use a scaled down versions of this toy in Iraq...called RECCE II (U.S. Army RDECOM AMRDEC Engineering Directorate). The RECE II was basically Sparta's Zeus laser on a JERRV MRAP. I have a M-42 submunition sitting on my office shelf, a souvenir from when I used the 2 KW laser to burn a hole through it.

I seen it being built at Redstone's integration facility during the development phase and about flipped out when I heard it was in Mosul, not being used (long story). I told my commander about it and he got it sent to us in Kirkuk. We used it a lot to develop TTPs and against old military ordnance and IEDs. It was a blast to use!

 

[Rooster 308]

Not to brag or anything but...I got to use a scaled down versions of this toy in Iraq...called RECCE II (U.S. Army RDECOM AMRDEC Engineering Directorate). The RECE II was basically Sparta's Zeus laser on a JERRV MRAP. I have a M-42 submunition sitting on my office shelf, a souvenir from when I used the 2 KW laser to burn a hole through it.

I seen it being built at Redstone's integration facility during the development phase and about flipped out when I heard it was in Mosul, not being used (long story). I told my commander about it and he got it sent to us in Kirkuk. We used it a lot to develop TTPs and against old military ordnance and IEDs. It was a blast to use!

Sweet

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Sailors operate the laser using a video game-type controller, according to Navy officials. With this controller, they can perform a variety of operations. If an enemy boat or aircraft gets too close to a Navy ship, the laser can deter the threat with an effect known as optical "dazzling." This nonlethal option — which amounts to a very bright glare — is meant to serve as a warning, giving the adversary a chance to change course without getting blown to smithereens.

But, if a threat keeps coming, sailors aboard the Ponce can increase the strength of the laser's highly concentrated beam, which will knock out the sensors or control systems on an enemy drone or vessel. If the adversary still doesn't get the hint, the beam can be turned up higher, making it capable of destroying the threat altogether.

You can almost hear Kirk saying phasors on stun then phasors on kill.

 

[magus]

It's a neat tool for sure! I wonder what it's effective range is in atmosphere though. What does fog do to it, or smoke? Of course if it's packing as much energy as it looks, it'd likely burn through anything suspended in air in short order.

Nice thing is at sea you don't have any topography screwing up our line of sight.

 

[357 Terms]

Meh, when they make one with a broomhadle grip small enough to put in a drop leg holster then! I will get excited.

 

[Libertarian01]

To All,

Not that many will care, but "Pew-Pew" is the name of the laser pistol found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla manufacturing plant outside of New Vegas in Fallout: New Vegas.

That model is, however, much smaller and manportable.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Vamptepes]

To All,

Not that many will care, but "Pew-Pew" is the name of the laser pistol found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla manufacturing plant outside of New Vegas in Fallout: New Vegas.

That model is, however, much smaller and manportable.

Regards,

Doug

Damn vault dwellers showing up everywhere.

 

[poberly]

Maybe there will be a select few who will be equipped with close combat versions, I'm thinking they could name the tool a lightsaber.

 

[vitamink]

Also today, the Secretary of the Navy announced implementation of new recruiting methodologies:

Really, you post this picture and no one mentions "death blossom"? What the hell is wrong with you people? FN death blossom man!!! The last star fighter was the best worst movie ever.

 

[StunnedMonkey]

I already heard that the lifetime LTCL is going away. Is this true?

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Really, you post this picture and no one mentions "death blossom"? What the hell is wrong with you people? FN death blossom man!!! The last star fighter was the best worst movie ever.

So it WASN'T just me then...

And apparently, I can't give any more rep to Vitamin K OR Kirk etc etc blah blah blah.
Someone tag 'em for me, will ya? Thanx.

 

[Redhorse]

So what happens if they target a mirror?

 

[eric001]

So what happens if they target a mirror?

That little detail has been brought up before as a possible defense against laser weapons--simply put a mirror surface on missiles/rockets/whatever. It might work, and it might not, depending on how perfect the mirror surface is and how powerful the laser is.

It's always fun when ideas formerly only found in science fiction start to become reality. I have to wonder if any/many of the folks making it happen read through relevant scifi stories to see what different authors already thought about capability vs. countermeasures.

 

[stephen87]

To All,

Not that many will care, but "Pew-Pew" is the name of the laser pistol found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla manufacturing plant outside of New Vegas in Fallout: New Vegas.

That model is, however, much smaller and manportable.

Regards,

Doug

I know what I'm looking for tomorrow. Any hint on where specifically?

 

[Libertarian01]

I know what I'm looking for tomorrow. Any hint on where specifically?

To Stephen87,

Get yerself 50 Sarsaparilla Star bottlecaps, then see yer ol' buddy Festus. He'll put ya on the right path.

Find the hidden stash and get the prize, along with Pew-Pew.

Regards,

The Courier

 

[bingley]

So, we need to be on par with our government... When can we get consumer-level lasers? Maybe start with semi-automatic laser guns and work up to full-auto with some sort of Class 3.

Screw full auto. I want my light saber!