German Laser Destroys Targets More Than 1Km Away

kkleiner writes "A German company has brought us one step closer to the kinds of shootouts only seen in Sci-Fi films. Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Defense recently tested a 50kW, high-energy laser at their proving ground facility in Switzerland. First, the system sliced through a 15mm- (~0.6 inches) thick steel girder from a kilometer away. Then, from a distance of two kilometers, it shot down a handful of drones as they nose-dived toward the surface at 50 meters per second."

Comments

Re:Pop Corn

[Anonymous Coward]

So how well does it make popcorn?

Sheesh, and you people have the nerve to call yourselves nerds. A quick back of the envelope calculation:

Laser output: 50kW
Average microwave oven: 1kW
Duration of popping: 2 m. 30 sec. = 150 sec.
Therefore, 1 bag of popcorn every 3 seconds.

House volume: 2000 sq ft * 6 ft high = 12000 cu ft
Volume of a bag of popcorn = 0.25 cu ft
Therefore, 144k bags of popcorn would be needed.

(144k bags * 3 sec per bag) / 3600 secs per hour = 120 hours

Hope Val Kilmer isn't in a hurry.

Re:I guess I was naive

[wile_e_wonka]

The article seems to suggest that the laser was not simply going through air:

"[W]eather at the Ochsenboden Proving Ground in Switzerland where the demonstration was carried out included ice, rain, snow, and extremely bright sunlight – far from ideal."

Re:Now we need flintsteel armor.

[fyngyrz]

Dinochrome. For the honor of the regiment.

Re:Pop Corn

[plopez]

Yes. Seconds are part of the official SI standard. That makes hours "metric". You basically blew any geek cred with that question.