By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com
Photo Credit: Raytheon Company
December 10, 2014
It would appear that a new martial technological dawn is officially upon us, specifically the era of laser warfare. The U.S. Navy just approved the use of the shipborne Laser Weapon System (LaWS) for use in the Persian Gulf (and presumably anywhere else its needed). DefenseReview (DR) has been reporting on the testing of laser weapon systems for the last few years, including LaWS, as we’ve been very interested in the hardware/technology, and its military combat capabilities.
According to the Navy, they’ve successfully tested LaWS high-aperture telescope against small boat swarms, right up until last month, in which a three-foot-high stack of shells was surgically destroyed right next to a simulated human being located inches away from the target. The LaWS’ surgical precision is crucial, due to the fact that the use of laser weapons against human targets is prohibited by the CCWC’s (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) Protocol IV restriction under the Geneva Conventions.
Anyway, radar is used to acquire the target, and the LaWS takes over from there, neutralizing it.
Now, if we can just get operational lasers on our aircraft, ground vehicles and warfighters. Don’t worry, they’re coming.
Company Contact Info:
Raytheon Company
870 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451-1449
Office: 781-522-3000
Website: http://www.raytheon.com
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Rheinmetall 50kW Anti-Aircraft/Mortar/Rocket Laser Weapon System: The Future of Air Defense?
Manpackable Laser Weapons on the Way for U.S. Military’s Future Soldiers?
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