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Warships May Get Lasers For Close-In Defense
King Louie writes "Raytheon and the US Navy have successfully tested a ship-borne laser capable of shooting down aircraft. Video at the link shows the 32-kilowatt solid-state laser shooting down an unmanned aerial vehicle. The technology is apparently mature enough to be deployed as part of ships' short-range missile defenses, a role currently filled by the Basic Point Defense Missile System (based on the Sea Sparrow missile) and the Close-In Weapons System (based on a 20mm Gatling gun)."
Nice. So, we don't have money for the unemployed, for the ill, or even for veterans benefits, but we can afford laser systems to shoot down planes for imaginary invasions.
Valid point. Perhaps Raytheon could instead develop a means to launch the unemployed, ill, and benefit-needing veterans at incoming airborn objects.
I think I'll remain both a non-socialist and proponent of science, and back the laser system.
0 = 1 + e^(Alt something)
"First of all, at 32MW output, this would RAPE ship's energy supply."
Only if the ship was moving. At a standstill, the ship only needs about 2 megawatts of power for full operations. All that other power goes to movement.
You just proved you know nothing about which energy requirements a ship has for any given mode of operation. Additionally, optoelectronics is my job, specifically research applications of solid-state light generating devices.
Be quiet, son, men are talking.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Sufficient reason for stricter gun laws.
You are welcome on my lawn.