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Navy To Deploy Lasers On Ship In 2014

Posted by samzenpus on from the point-and-click dept.

Velcroman1 writes "The Pentagon has plans to deploy its first ever ship-mounted laser next year, a disruptive, cutting-edge weapon capable of obliterating small boats and unmanned aerial vehicles with a blast of infrared energy. Navy officials announced Monday that in early 2014, a solid-state laser prototype will be mounted to the fantail of the USS Ponce and sent to the 5th fleet region in the Middle East for real-world experience. 'It operates much like a blowtorch ... with an unlimited magazine,' one official said."

8 of 402 comments (clear)

  1. with frickin' lasers! by ChipMonk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Next up, sharks.

    1. Re:with frickin' lasers! by Dins · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not so. During WW II the submarines were named for fish. That was fairly cool.

      Until you get deployed to the SS Flounder...

    2. Re:with frickin' lasers! by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 3, Funny

      Lasers, and drones. It's official. We have become the Amarr.

    3. Re:with frickin' lasers! by drkim · · Score: 4, Funny

      ugh.. the WW1 ship was the FIFTH ship to bear the name.

      The 1855 HMS Cockchafer was a wooden screw.

      Which explains the name.

  2. Small Boats by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    Somali pirates begin to feel the heat. Original recipe or extra crispy.

  3. Kim Jong Un says: by nortcele · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh Yeah? We not aflaid of laser. We have bigger better laser. Two of them. Will cut earth in half.

  4. Re:Not unexpected by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 4, Funny

    CIWS has 1550 rounds in its magazine

    Oh, those damned new magazine limit laws, again!

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  5. Re: Not unexpected by sjames · · Score: 4, Funny

    Obviously, for piloted aircraft they just order all hands on deck with laser pointers.