Laser weapons are seen as a potential low-cost alternative to missiles for shooting down drones.

The UK has successfully fired a high-power laser weapon against an aerial target for the first time in a trial.

It is hoped that the test will pave the way for a low-cost alternative to missiles to shoot down targets like drones.

The DragonFire weapon is precise enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) says.

  • Buelldozer@lemmy.todayEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    Having such lasers stationary is one thing, but having them mobile another.

    The US already has them. They’re called DE M-SHORAD and they’re mounted on Strykers.

    • DarkThoughts@fedia.io
      2·
      11 months ago

      Yes, like the Skyranger 30 HEL, which can be mounted on a Boxer or Lynx KF41, but those are still meant for flimsy aerial targets, not an armored laser turret within a heavily protected compound.

      • Buelldozer@lemmy.todayEnglish
        3·
        11 months ago

        but those are still meant for flimsy aerial targets, not an armored laser turret within a heavily protected compound.

        Wait, what? The comment I replied to insinuated that a mobile 50KW system wasn’t possible so I linked you to one that the US already has. You then linked me to the Skyranger which has a LESS powerful laser than DE M-SHORAD and brought up “armored laser turrets within a heavily protected compound.”

        I am now confused as to your point.