Vincent Arnold

Commentary: Ok, in the “just because it’s cool” category, we now have functioning laser beam weapons. This has been coming for a long time since the “Star Wars” program started back in the Reagan Administration.

Boeing has successfully demonstrated that its Avenger-mounted laser system can neutralize the kinds of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) that threaten U.S. troops deployed in war zones. During laser firings Sept. 26-27 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., the Laser Avenger engaged and destroyed five targets representing IED and UXO threats.

Laser Avenger, equipped with a 1-kilowatt solid-state laser, proved its effectiveness at ranges that allowed the system to be operated at safe distances from the target. During the test, the system also took a step toward demonstrating a counter-unmanned aerial vehicle capability by destroying two small unmanned aerial vehicles that were stationary on the ground.

Source: Spacewar

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 at 8:05 pm and is filed under Just because it's cool.