World's First Solid-State Battlefield Laser Now On Sale
Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: War, Laser, Battlefield, Tanks
Military tanks fitted with lethal lasers? Apparently, that’s no longer just a work of the imagination.
And according to this press release, the supposed laser is definitely no joke. Northrop Grumman Corporation, a global defense and technology company, is the group behind the laser device, and claims that the "ruggedized, high-energy, solid-state laser designed as a line replaceable unit (LRU) for battlefield applications" is now ready for order. While the company does not offer pricing on such a device in the press release (a couple million each at best), it does state that the laser is customizable, utilizing a combinable LRU building block scheme to increase the laser’s default power and dish out a lethal dose of destructive energy.
"This is a rugged electric laser with power levels, beam quality, and runtime suitable for offensive and defensive military utility," said aid Dan Wildt, vice president of Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman’s Space Technology sector. "Also available is a newly designed laser current source assembly (LCSA), which is compact, and specifically developed to precisely meet FIRESTRIKE(tm)’s power needs. Combined with advanced electro optical and/or infrared sensors, the FIRESTRIKE laser can provide self-defense, precision strike and enhanced situational awareness capabilities."
Wildt also commented that the FIRESTRIKE was hardened for military uses, keeping field replacement in mind, designing the laser for on-the-go switch outs as well as expanding the life-cycle of each unit, keeping costs down for the consumer. Because the laser is scalable, wattages can be changed in 15kw increments to accommodate current warfighting missions and/or platforms, shooting up towards a deadly 90kw.
According to the specs, the beam quality is nominally 1.5 times the diffraction limit. The size of the laser head is 12" x 23" x 40" (width, depth, height) and will remain continuous as long as power and coolant are provided. The laser can be operated remotely and features an Ethernet interface. Northrop Grumman believes that FIRESTRIKE laser will form the backbone of future laser weapon systems.
FIRESTRIKE is one of the first lasers to work without the use of chemicals, requiring electricity and emitting no by-products as seen with older laser devices. Whether or not this device is a good thing for America has yet to be seen, however if found in the wrong hands, the FIRESTRIKE device might make for a lethal, unstoppable enemy. But because the laser is continuous, there is no rapid fire, thus soldiers won’t be running around shooting Sandpeople with blasters. And when cranked up to 90kw, the only military vehicle that can power such a device is a tank, perhaps even a MRAP armored vehicle.
Still, a lethal laser that can reach full power in less than a second may cause Northrop Grumman’s stock to rise and the phones to ring off the hooks. "We are ready to deliver on the promise of defense at the speed of light with FIRESTRIKE," Wildt said.
Welcome to the end of mankind, folks.
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A laser against what? Personal, armor, air?
IMA FIRIN' MA LAZA!!!
Wouldnt you have to be too close to your target to make this worth while on a tank? Tanks dont usually fire at objects in the sky and you can only hit objects within your line of sight, so anything beyond the horizon or on the other side of a hill or mountain would be safe from this weapon. I mean, friggin lazers are cool and all, but I dont think the best application for this device is on a tank.
the best application for this is probably a jet fighter or something. or a highly maneuverable jeep like thing.
Looks at the facts: very high power, portable, limited firing time, unlimited range. All you'd need is a big spinning mirror and you could vaporize a human target from space.
"Alfred, why dont I have this?" whispered quietly from deep in the bat cave....
the best application for this is probably a jet fighter or something. or a highly maneuverable jeep like thing.
A Warthog with a laser attachment. Yes.
Looks at the facts: very high power, portable, limited firing time, unlimited range. All you'd need is a big spinning mirror and you could vaporize a human target from space.
Kent's tracking system is gone! Someone get the popcorn!
I've always wondered why they don't use lasers on submarines. You would think that a nuclear powered sub could carry a capacitor to charge up a laser just fine, even if it has to temporarily disable half of the sub's systems for a minute. Even if it couldn't fire underwater due to water and dirt particle diffraction, it could still offer AA support along ocean fronts. Plus, if the laser missed an enemy jet, maybe it could "accidentally" take out a spying communist satellite or catch the attention of some extra-terrestrials.
A laser against what? Personal, armor, air?
This would most likely be anti-personnel. Tanks have the biggest issues with anti-tank mines (throw out in front of the tank) and hand held armor-piercing RPGs. They don't face other tanks all that much because if a tank is detected it's usually taken out by our huge air force.
Looks at the facts: very high power, portable, limited firing time, unlimited range. All you'd need is a big spinning mirror and you could vaporize a human target from space.
How do you know it has unlimited range? Lasers have limited ranges. Ever hear of diffraction?
I've always wondered why they don't use lasers on submarines. You would think that a nuclear powered sub could carry a capacitor to charge up a laser just fine, even if it has to temporarily disable half of the sub's systems for a minute. Even if it couldn't fire underwater due to water and dirt particle diffraction, it could still offer AA support along ocean fronts.
Because that gives away the sub's position and puts it into a role for which it's not suited. Let naval ships carry the AA lasers.
Or put them on sharks.
A Warthog with a laser attachment. Yes.
!!!yes brilliant!!
Very intriguing. I'm very interested in seeing video of this device in action.
Because that gives away the sub's position and puts it into a role for which it's not suited. Let naval ships carry the AA lasers. Or put them on sharks.
I would think that firing surface to surface and surface to air missles would give away sub's positions as well...
That IS a large part of what our submarines do you know. They don't just patrol the waters around the world looking for fish.
Dude mall-cops need this. Segways with lazers man...
I can see it now: "Stop thief! Pew Pew!"
I was quoting the movie Real Genius. Trialsking got it.
Sorry, I was 5 when that movie came out and my folks were religious conservatives, but it looks like a classic. I shall add it to my Netflix queue. For future reference, it helps to cite the movie from which you are quoting. Not everyone loves Val Kilmer. Although I would have to digress that I can't hate him.
Dude mall-cops need this. Segways with lazers man...I can see it now: "Stop thief! Pew Pew!"
They have these in the non-lethal variety, without all the fancy cold fusion mumbo jumbo (Ref. - Kilmer, The Saint). I believe they're called Tazers.
From somewhere in the middle east, in whatever country we happen to be occupying:
"Don't laser me man! Don't laser me!" in an Arabic tongue which few of us here understand.
Don't Laze me bro!!!!
[citation][nom]JonnyDough[/nom]I would think that firing surface to surface and surface to air missles would give away sub's positions as well...That IS a large part of what our submarines do you know.[/quote]
Yes, but they can fire nuclear missiles with greater range than you can target with a laser as sea level. They're strategic rather than tactical weapons, a deterrent more than anything.
A rather significant difference in combat ability.
[citation]They're strategic rather than tactical weapons, a deterrent more than anything. A rather significant difference in combat ability.[/citation]
That's why I said "ocean front." Just because that's what they USUALLY do does not mean they could not ALSO do this.
The only proposed use of high-power lasers I've heard of is as an airborne anti-missile system. Stick them on an AWACs and shoot down anti-aircraft misssiles from miles away. Any battlefield use of this laser will have to be against unmanned targets of this type as the use of lasers to maim or kill human combatants on the battlefield is banned by international conventions that I am pretty sure the USA has signed up to.
so now someone needs to invent force fields to fend off these lasers
[citation]They're strategic rather than tactical weapons, a deterrent more than anything. A rather significant difference in combat ability.
That's why I said "ocean front." Just because that's what they USUALLY do does not mean they could not ALSO do this.[/citation]
So how do the subs spot the incoming aircraft? Active sensors would give away their position, as would surfacing. Imagine the dead give-away that constant communication with other ships necessary for coordinating this defense would involve.