New generation weapons of war - lasers guns.

[orangeman]

This used to be sci - fi but is now reality and will form a big part of future wars and engagements :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13033437


The US Navy has fired a laser gun from one of its ships for the first time.

Researchers used the high-energy laser (HEL) to disable a boat by setting fire to its engines off the coast of California.

Similar systems had previously been tested on land, however moist sea air presented an extra challenge as it reduces a beam's power.

The navy said that ship-borne lasers could eventually be used to protect vessels from small attack boats.

The US military has been experimenting with laser weapons since the 1970s.

Early systems used large, chemical-based lasers which tended to produce dangerous waste gasses.

More recently, scientists have developed solid state lasers that combine large numbers of compact beam generators, similar to LEDs.

HELs fire
 
The US Navy system uses a Joint High Power Solid State Laser mounted on deck Until now, much of the development of HELs has focused on shooting down missiles or hitting land-based targets.

The latest round of tests showed its wider possibilities, according to Peter Morrison from the Office of Naval Research.

"This test provides an important data point as we move toward putting directed energy on warships.

"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.

While a weaponised system would likely be restricted to military vessels, merchant shipping has also expressed an interest in laser technogy,
h
A gun which uses visible laser light to temporarily blind pirates was announced by BAE Systems in 2010.

The technology is still being tested, ahead of a commercial launch.

[Hardy]

"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.

Yes - you wouldn't want to hurt someone with a weapon of war.

[GalwayBayBoy]

Will have to get your man from the Discovery Channel on the case.

[Bingo]

Can you order one of these online yet?

Theres a few dogs that keep shiting on my front lawn and this sounds perfect for giving them a wee warm arse the next time they at the dirty deed 

[HiMucker]

Can you order one of these online yet?

Theres a few dogs that keep shiting on my front lawn and this sounds perfect for giving them a wee warm arse the next time they at the dirty deed 

Bingo, I think you will find that a wire wool brush dipped in parafin oil will do just the trick.  Tried and tested.  The poor dog doesnt no that its done anything wrong, but it does know that the last time he shit on my lawn he had a sore arse after 

[johnneycool]

"There is still much work to do to make sure it's done safely and efficiently," he said.

Yes - you wouldn't want to hurt someone with a weapon of war.

FFS, a decent fire extinguisher would render that thing useless. I'm surprised they didn't use an old sofa on that test instead.

[Eamonnca1]

Can you order one of these online yet?

Theres a few dogs that keep shiting on my front lawn and this sounds perfect for giving them a wee warm arse the next time they at the dirty deed 

Not sure about dogs but you can get sonic devices that scare cats away with an ultrasonic blast. Doesn't hurt them and it works when you're not there.

[lawnseed]

all credit to laser weapons.. if you fired it at me i'd use my mirror.. nah nah eejets