The US Navy Is Ready To Deploy A Futuristic Laser Weapon That's Been Likened To 'Star Wars'

BI - AP ^ | 2-16-2014 | David Sharp

[blam]

The US Navy Is Ready To Deploy A Futuristic Laser Weapon That's Been Likened To 'Star Wars'

David Sharp, Associated Press
Febuary 16,2014

BATH, Maine (AP) — Some of the Navy's futuristic weapons sound like something out of "Star Wars," with lasers designed to shoot down aerial drones and electric guns that fire projectiles at hypersonic speeds.

That future is now.

The Navy plans to deploy its first laser on a ship later this year, and it intends to test an electromagnetic rail gun prototype aboard a vessel within two years.

For the Navy, it's not so much about the whiz-bang technology as it is about the economics of such armaments. Both costs pennies on the dollar compared with missiles and smart bombs, and the weapons can be fired continuously, unlike missiles and bombs, which eventually run out.

"It fundamentally changes the way we fight," said Capt. Mike Ziv, program manager for directed energy and electric weapon systems for the Naval Sea Systems Command.

(snip)

[Army Air Corps]

When do I get a blaster?

[Salvavida]

And the Chinese or Russians will steal it over the weekend. Whatever military advantage we R&D, we piss it away by superficial counterintelligence work so as not to offend anyone.

[dfwgator]

The US Navy Is Ready To Deploy A Futuristic Laser Weapon That's Been Likened To 'Star Wars'

Can they attach them to the heads of sharks?

[sickoflibs]

Thats not going to help much against enemy missiles fired at the ship from long distances.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I’m not in the business, but I cannot see why not.

Just saying.

[mylife]

Reagan started it in the 80’s.

[mylife]

Reagan started that in the 8u0s as well.

[Laserman]

And you know this how?

[who_would_fardels_bear]

... what about rail gun projectiles with frickin' laser beams!

[Joe 6-pack]

"...3.2 kg projectile at 10.64MJ (megajoules) with a muzzle velocity of 2520 meters per second..."

For comparison, the M829A3 for the M1A1/A2 Abrams main gun throws a sabot weighing about 3x that at a velocity of about 1,600 m/s.

[mylife]

Ye old paladin is impressive.

[Paulie]

I suppose we’ll have to get rid of some of our inventory. Hey - let’s start a war with Syria!

[cloudmountain]

When do I get a blaster?

Remember the "MASTER BLASTER" from MAD MAX??

:o) Great movie!

[martin_fierro]

Imma chargin’ mah lazors.

[cloudmountain]

Ye old paladin is impressive.

Paladin, Paladin, where do you roam?
Paladin, Paladin, far, far from home.

[mylife]

[mylife]

Hat tip.

[mylife]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M109_howitzer