A laser weapon is a type of directed-energy weapon (DEW) using lasers to inflict damage. Unlike traditional projectile weapons, which rely on kinetic energy, laser weapons deliver right to the target.
The energy can manifest as heat, causing the target to melt, burn, or structurally weaken, or as electromagnetic radiation to disrupts electronics and sensors.
Advantages include near-instant speed of light delivery, cheap ammunition and pinpoint accuracy. While engaging a drone with a missile could cost tens of thousands of dollars, a laser weapon can do it for about $1 per shot.
The response time of these systems is near-instantaneous. Lasers can operate at long ranges without need for traditional ammunition logistics. Once set up, they can continue to fire as long as they have power available.
Various laser types are chemical, fiber, and solid-state lasers. Several systems have already emerged. One prominent example is Israel's Iron Beam.
It's a high-energy laser weapon system made to intercept short-range rockets, artillery shells, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This hopes to complement the existing Iron Dome air defense system.
Anti-drone systems use lasers to disable or destroy agile targets like drones (uncrewed combat aerial vehicles or UCAVs). In 2022, the Pentagon successfully tests a laser to engage drones.
The US and Israel previously collaborate on a high-energy laser weapon system purportedly to intercept rockets and artillery shells. This project has been discontinued but contributes to laser weapon technology advances.
DragonFire is a British laser directed-energy weapon (LDEW) in testing for the Royal Navy. It's expected to be on Royal Navy ships by 2027.
In warfare lasers are used in mapping for accurate terrain data in navigation and targeting. Laser rangefinders are ubiquitous. Soldiers determine the distance to targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Laser designators "paint" targets for precision-guided munitions. Thus bombs and missiles hit with minimal deviation.
One problem is power. High-energy lasers need huge electrical power to operate effectively. Atmospheric conditions such as rain, fog, and dust can reduce the range and effectiveness of laser beams.
Heat management is a concern, as generating high-energy laser beams produces substantial amounts of waste heat. This has to be dissipated.
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