Russia develops air defense lasers

[500]

All these laser programs are good only for money laundering. So many programs, so much money wasted and all ended with nothing.

 

[ushikra]

Free Electron Laser Fact Sheet - Office of Naval Research

The Free Electron Laser (FEL) weapon system will provide U.S. ships with speed-of-light fire capability for a range of missions and threats, a key element of a future future shipboard layered defense.

An Innovative Naval Prototype program for the FEL technology began in 2010. It will demonstrate scalability of the necessary FEL physics and engineering for an eventual megawatt-class device. The program will focus on the design, development, fabrication, integration and test of a 100-kilowatt class FEL device. Future needs for ship integration and beam control are being considered.

This revolutionary technology provides multiple payoffs to the warfighter. The ability to control the frequency of the laser beam allows for operation in the maritime environment. The variability of the beam strength provides graduated lethality with minimum collateral damage and a low cost per engagement when compared to the projectile and logistics support costs of conventional explosive munitions. Against low
value targets it is an effective alternative to the use of expensive missile systems. The FEL provides speed of light and precision engagement of both high speed, sophisticated anti-ship missles, as well as swarming, slow speed, unsophisticated small craft.

And what the range? How will these Lasers be pointed towards targets beyond visual range? Or targets behind a natural object?

 

[Thomas]

And what the range? How will these Lasers be pointed towards targets beyond visual range? Or targets behind a natural object?

They would be a defensive weapon used agianst small boats, aircraft, and missiles (ballistic and manuvering cruise). FEL lasers pack a punch that doesn't require the time on target to punch through outer skins chemical and solid state lasers do. Obviously over the horizon requires other weapons.

 

[vK_man]

All these laser programs are good only for money laundering. So many programs, so much money wasted and all ended with nothing.

Cover for Torsional weapons.

 

[ARSENAL6]

All these laser programs are good only for money laundering. So many programs, so much money wasted and all ended with nothing.

*thinks of Israel defense system on how much money is spent wasted on stone-throwing Palistians. sigh*