Ok, firstly let us apologize for the rather unhumorous reference to Austin Powers in the title, but a video has appeared on youtube demonstrating the Navy’s new weapon system is set to go into trials next year.
The US Navy has been developing a system to to use Lasers to shoot incoming drones and other missiles for some time now, first demonstrating the concept back in 2011. It appears that they have finally got confident enough with the technology to put them out in the field, and indeed it was announced today that the Office of Naval Research was aiming to “field and test a solid-state laser prototype” early next year aboard the USS Ponce. The USS Ponce is an old transport vessel that has seen many hi-tech modifications recently and is currently stationed in the Gulf (watch out Iran!).
Anyway, check out the video below of the latest demonstration. We can see as this technology is honed it will be very effective. Indeed, there have already been concepts for placing these lasers, on trucks and even Humvees!
With the US Government repeatedly having to reign in spending, the use of lasers could present a cheaper alternative to existing ship self defense systems.
We are certainly impressed, and look forward to seeing how this develops.
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