The UK says it conducted a 'groundbreaking' trial of a laser beam weapon that can neutralize targets for $0.12 a shot
The UK says it conducted a 'groundbreaking' trial of a laser beam weapon that can neutralize targets for $0.12 a shot
The UK's MOD said it test-fired a laser weapon that can track multiple targets and costs just $0.12 a shot, as nations look at ways to combat drones.
![The UK says it conducted a 'groundbreaking' trial of a laser beam weapon that can neutralize targets for $0.12 a shot](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/be65e4b4-6612-464d-a16c-8a201828c4a4.jpeg?format=webp&thumbnail=256)
- The UK said it test-fired a laser beam weapon in a "groundbreaking" trial.
- The Ministry of Defence said it could neutralize targets for just $0.12 a shot.
- Countries are racing to develop weapons that can combat drones and missiles.
The U.K.? This is not a good sign... you know what this usually means...
84 1 ReplyI miss 9 every day 😭
10 0 ReplyEXTERMINATE. ANNIHILATE.
5 0 ReplyBtw, what is that supposed to be?
2 1 Replya Dalek.
9 0 ReplyBillie is no Jenna Coleman, but she's still cute.
4 0 Reply
The kill to cost-savings ratio on this is amazing. We can kill so many for so little!
77 1 ReplyLeaving so much room for activities!
29 0 Replyso much room for activities
The new Ford class carriers have a nuclear reactor in them that outputs about 2x as much power as the ship actually needs. If/when these are ready for prime time, prepare or some raves on the flight deck!
7 0 Reply
This will be used against drones and missiles. Does make me wonder what the cost per bullet is for militaries though
17 0 ReplyI know, I know, Quora, but this seems properly researched.
$0.23 for a round of 5.56, $0.76 for a round of 7.62. Ish.
Keep in mind, too, that lasers fire in about as straight a line as you can hope for, while bullets do not. It's going to take a lot more bullets fired to neutralize a target than laser "rounds" fired.
20 0 ReplyCruise missiles are usually shot down with interceptor missiles, which are a lot more expensive. Simple kinetics don't have the range for that.
1 0 Reply
Woooooo! Death Ray! Yeah!
16 0 Reply8 2 Reply
For a less than you pay for a cup of coffee, you can evaporate 10 or even 50 people!
7 0 Reply
Can it be put on a shark?
43 0 ReplyOn its head, specifically?
13 1 ReplyNo sharks, but perhaps sea bass
4 0 Reply
defeated by fog, cloud cover.
13 0 ReplyOr a mirror
10 1 ReplyThere has already been work clearing clouds with lasers.
https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/28317
IR and UV both seem to penetrate clouds, but I can't say if they will retain their focus as a directed beam.
5 0 Reply
my what a savings
9 0 ReplyWasn't there this YouTuber that made a laser mosquito trap? It's just a matter of time until that will be used against humans.
10 1 Replythat was Bill Gates
4 0 Reply
So let's not invent a shield that can stop any fast incoming forces using arcane physical effects... Heard that turns out badly
3 0 ReplyNah, we definitely need some AT fields.
6 0 Reply
SUATMM.
- David Harris, 12 Gove Lane, London NW4
- Eric Ball, 253 Avon Road, London NW3
- Stewart Larson, 57 Upper Street, Manchester
- Pete Bloxwich, 19 Lapworth Gardens, Manchester
- Harry Pool, 189 Leafield Grove , Manchester
I enclose a cheque for £1.20.
The other 5 names will follow .
Please be discreet.
10 7 ReplyWell... MW8 will be saddly very boring.
Press F to activate the drone killer automated system
2 0 ReplyBut did it go "Pew pew"?
2 0 ReplyIs it called Megiddo?
2 0 Replyhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xNmbvaUzC8Q
Is this where they got the idea?
3 1 Replyhttps://youtu.be/xuv7SIVNkx8?si=llKOVfdJXPmOvWJ7
More likely from here.
2 0 Reply
The US has been playing with these kinds of lasers for over a decade now. Last I saw a demonstration, the laser wasn't powerful enough to just zap something. It had to focus on a warhead and heat it up until it exploded. It wouldn't work on a missile in flight. Maybe they improved it, but I suspect the introduction of slow drones like the Iranian Shahed made it feasible.
The cost per shot was pennies a decade ago. But how fast can they shoot these? It must be able to shoot fast and constantly if you want to deal with swarms.
2 0 Reply