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German Laser Destroys Targets More Than 1Km Away

Posted by samzenpus on from the lazlo-approved dept.

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."

1 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Pop Corn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.