Humvee with Laser Cannon in Afghanistan

Strategy Page ^ | 10/6/2004 | N/A

[swilhelm73]

Humvee with Laser Cannon in Afghanistan The U.S. Army has built and tested a humvee equipped with a laser gun turret that can quickly destroy unexploded munitions and roadside bombs. The system, called Zeus-HLONS (HMMWV Laser Ordnance Neutralization System), uses an industrial solid state laser, normally used to cut metal, but can also ignite explosives up to 300 meters away. Normally, engineers have to approach such munitions (shells, cluster bombs aircraft bombs) or roadside bombs, place explosives next to it, then move away, trailing a detonator wire behind them, and then set off the explosive to destroy the bomb or unexploded munitions. Using the Zeus laser is a lot cheaper (a few cents per laser shot) and safer than the traditional method. Zeus is particularly useful when you have an area with a lot of unexploded munitions just lying about. The munitions are often unstable, meaning that just picking them up could set them off. The Zeus system can be fired up to 2,000 times a day. Last year, a Zeus-HLONS was sent to Afghanistan for six months last year, where it destroyed 200 items, including 51 in one 100 minute period.

However, Zeus is currently stuck in development because no one in the army wants to "own" it and pay for manufacturing it. While destroying unexploded munitions is an engineering task, Zeus-HLONS was developed by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Development is continuing, including the use of a more powerful laser. One thing the engineers would like to see is some way for Zeus to destroy buried munitions and land mines. But the laser cannot penetrate earth very effectively. As things stand now, Zeus-HLONS will remain on the sidelines until someone decides it's important enough to spend money on and adopt as another item of equipment.

[jbwbubba]

Warp speed now, Mr Scott.
I can't give yer any more, she'll shake herself apart

[Teacher317]

Two, please.

[RKV]

RKV wants one. The one with the MORE POWERFUL laser.

[3AngelaD]

I want one. This is just what I need to get me over the 14th St Bridge every morning from Virginia.

[Question_Assumptions]

Years ago (over two decades), I went to the science center in Toronto where they had a laser demonstration. The woman demonstrating the lasers swore that lasers could never be turned into useful weapons...

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Kozak]

Will make finding parking and heavy traffic MUCH more pleasant.

[TASMANIANRED]

Where can I get one of these?

[MHak]

LOL and Bill Gates said, "Why would anyone need more than 640kb of memory"?

[buccaneer81]

I went to the science center in Toronto where they had a laser demonstration. The woman demonstrating the lasers swore that lasers could never be turned into useful weapons...

No surprise there. Today's Canadians can't turn ships submarines and aircraft into useful weapons.

[Sender]

Here's the brochure.

[Max Combined]

Use on the terrorists, too.

[rudypoot]

Do they come with headstraps for sharks?

[Freebird Forever]

Use on the terrorists, too.

I'd like to see the reaction in the arab gutter after Al Jazeera broadcast that video.

: )

[DUMBGRUNT]

What is the max range for crowd control?
A range and rate of rise chart (temperature)?

[ottersnot]

I want one. This is just what I need to get me over the 14th St Bridge every morning from Virginia.
Great idea. That is a bear to negotiate

[marty60]

KEWL. But does it have HUBCAPS?

[R. Scott]

Zeus-HLONS will remain on the sidelines until someone decides it's important enough to spend money on and adopt as another item of equipment.

Ask any EOD types if it’s important.

[lancer]

Good find, Wilhelm! (Working in your pj's?) (:-)

[Michael Barnes]

Hummers with friggen lasers on their roofs?!!!

[The KG9 Kid]

Can it set the enemy's turbans aflame?

[Dick Vomer]

No but here's a dolphin with a frickin laser beam.!!!

[Axenolith]

And PC's will never use more than 640K of memory either :-)

[Axenolith]

Drat, beat me to it!

[Dick Vomer]

Here's your sharks with frickin laser beams!! Throw me a bone..

[Flying Circus]

"Using the Zeus laser is a lot cheaper (a few cents per laser shot)"
"However, Zeus is currently stuck in development because no one in the army wants to "own" it and pay for manufacturing it."

These two statements do not add up. There are a lot of fixed costs up front and probably a good size maintenance bill that brings that cost per shot well more than pennies.

That said, a system like this sounds like a darn good idea. Even if it cost more than the current method, keeping our guys that much further away from danger is worth it.

[Kirkwood]

"Use diesel full to generate the beam." I assume they mean to run the power supply.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

If it works on munitions, land mines, etc., it should work equally well on terrorist car bombers and truck bombers.

[johnb838]

And even if you could put more than 640k on a PC, what's the point? None of the software could take advantage of it.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

I hope they come up with a hand-held home defense model.

Puts a whole new meaning into the phrase "Homeland Security."

[JOE6PAK]

THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA!

HAIL ZEUS!

[Tealc]

I think I'm in love.

[ChadGore]

Do not look into the beem with your one remaining eye

[Arrowhead1952]

Check this story!!!!!!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Another useful result from Reagan's Star Wars program.