Frikin Laser Beams!!!!
04-11-2011 | 04:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
Frikin Laser Beams!!!!
Laser gun fired from US navy ship
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13033437
Vid in the link.
A high-energy laser (HEL) fired from a US warship off the California coast has ignited a nearby boat. Video courtesy of the US Office of Naval Research.
Continue reading the main story
Researchers used the high-energy laser (HEL) to disable a boat by setting fire to its engines off the coast of California.
Similar systems had previously been tested on land, however moist sea air presented an extra challenge as it reduces a beam's power.
The navy said that ship-borne lasers could eventually be used to protect vessels from small attack boats.
The US military has been experimenting with laser weapons since the 1970s.
Early systems used large, chemical-based lasers which tended to produce dangerous waste gases.
More recently, scientists have developed solid state lasers that combine large numbers of compact beam generators, similar to LEDs.
HELs fire
The US Navy system uses a Joint High Power Solid State Laser mounted on deck
Until now, much of the development of HELs has focused on shooting down missiles or hitting land-based targets.
The latest round of tests showed its wider possibilities, according to Peter Morrison from the Office of Naval Research.
"This test provides an important data point as we move toward putting directed energy on warships.
"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.
While a weaponised system would likely be restricted to military vessels, merchant shipping has also expressed an interest in laser technogy,
A gun which uses visible laser light to temporarily blind pirates was announced by BAE Systems in 2010.
The technology is still being tested, ahead of a commercial launch.
Continue reading the main story
Researchers used the high-energy laser (HEL) to disable a boat by setting fire to its engines off the coast of California.
Similar systems had previously been tested on land, however moist sea air presented an extra challenge as it reduces a beam's power.
The navy said that ship-borne lasers could eventually be used to protect vessels from small attack boats.
The US military has been experimenting with laser weapons since the 1970s.
Early systems used large, chemical-based lasers which tended to produce dangerous waste gases.
More recently, scientists have developed solid state lasers that combine large numbers of compact beam generators, similar to LEDs.
HELs fire
The US Navy system uses a Joint High Power Solid State Laser mounted on deck
Until now, much of the development of HELs has focused on shooting down missiles or hitting land-based targets.
The latest round of tests showed its wider possibilities, according to Peter Morrison from the Office of Naval Research.
"This test provides an important data point as we move toward putting directed energy on warships.
"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.
While a weaponised system would likely be restricted to military vessels, merchant shipping has also expressed an interest in laser technogy,
A gun which uses visible laser light to temporarily blind pirates was announced by BAE Systems in 2010.
The technology is still being tested, ahead of a commercial launch.
Vid in the link.
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04-11-2011 | 05:40 PM
#10
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From: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
04-11-2011 | 07:28 PM
#15
Карты убийцы
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Cochabamba, Bolivia
04-11-2011 | 08:03 PM
#16
Senior Moderator
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From: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
04-12-2011 | 09:17 AM
#21
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Seems like it has the potential to be a great shock and awe weapon, though from that video I see somewhat limited usage. Point it at an unsuspecting bad guy's scalp.... he scrubs his head thinking its the sun beaming down on him a little harder than usual, next thing he knows his hair is on fire 
I'm not sure what kind of power those things need but it's pretty impressive to see what a pen laser can do. Not legal here obviously, but there's examples on youtube.
I'm not sure what kind of power those things need but it's pretty impressive to see what a pen laser can do. Not legal here obviously, but there's examples on youtube.
04-12-2011 | 10:40 AM
#22
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,299
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From: WISCONSIN
04-12-2011 | 12:41 PM
#24
Suzuka Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,732
Likes: 233
From: Massachusetts
Oh and lasers naturally are not colored, they deliberately color them when they sell them to the masses, both for safety, and for coolness factor.
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