US Test 'Star Wars' Lasers To Shoot Planes - 20th Jul 2010 3:47pm
US Test 'Star Wars' Lasers To Shoot Planes
Battle scenes only witnessed in sci-fi movies could soon become reality after the US military tested a new laser weapon
The powerful laser has been successfully used to shoot down four unmanned aircraft in flight.
The tests were carried out in May by the US Navy and Raytheon, a weapon manufacturer.
In a black-and-white video, reminiscent of early science fiction films, an aircraft flying across the sky is seen suddenly bursting into fire.
In the next instant it is plunging into the sea.
According to Raytheon the video shows the power of a so-called solid-state laser.
The power of Laser Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) is based on a 50 kilowatt beam it produces.
The beam is invisible. On the video it can be seen only when it hits its target.
The technology uses a tracking system from Raytheon to focus six solid-state lasers simultaneously on the target.
The results were revealed on Monday at Farnborough International Air Show.
A similar laser has been successfully tested on destroying static mortars and incoming mortar shells over land.
The earlier method produced a beam from a chemical reaction. It was too cumbersome to use.
Solid-state lasers are considered more practical as they use glass or ceramic material to generate their beam.
The technology, that the company described as "more real than Star Wars", will go through further testing.
Military experts have said the laser represents a new age in military technology.
Army planners expect to be able to use lasers on their own or see them incorporated in conventional weapons systems.
According to Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon, it would take until 2016 until such a weapon is fully developed for combat.
SKY NEWS
Battle scenes only witnessed in sci-fi movies could soon become reality after the US military tested a new laser weapon
The powerful laser has been successfully used to shoot down four unmanned aircraft in flight.
The tests were carried out in May by the US Navy and Raytheon, a weapon manufacturer.
In a black-and-white video, reminiscent of early science fiction films, an aircraft flying across the sky is seen suddenly bursting into fire.
In the next instant it is plunging into the sea.
According to Raytheon the video shows the power of a so-called solid-state laser.
The power of Laser Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) is based on a 50 kilowatt beam it produces.
The beam is invisible. On the video it can be seen only when it hits its target.
The technology uses a tracking system from Raytheon to focus six solid-state lasers simultaneously on the target.
The results were revealed on Monday at Farnborough International Air Show.
A similar laser has been successfully tested on destroying static mortars and incoming mortar shells over land.
The earlier method produced a beam from a chemical reaction. It was too cumbersome to use.
Solid-state lasers are considered more practical as they use glass or ceramic material to generate their beam.
The technology, that the company described as "more real than Star Wars", will go through further testing.
Military experts have said the laser represents a new age in military technology.
Army planners expect to be able to use lasers on their own or see them incorporated in conventional weapons systems.
According to Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon, it would take until 2016 until such a weapon is fully developed for combat.
SKY NEWS
