They are getting closer. Faster, please.

[vaskidmark]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a14430/lockheed-martin-laser/

Lockheed-Martin's prototype laser weapon is called the Advanced Test High Energy Asset, or ATHENA, and this is what it can do. The 30-kilowatt laser fired at this pickup truck from more than a mile away during a recent test.

This was the first full field test of the weapon. Lockheed says the poor pickup was mounted on a platform with its engine running to simulate real-world conditions.

I'm going to mount mine of the forward lip of my tactical wheelbarrow.

stay safe.

[Hawkmoon]

I'll mount mine behind the grill of my Jeep, on the left side, and aimed slightly left of dead ahead. Woe be until the next scalawag who doesn't dip his high beams when he's coming at me.

[AJ Dual]

birdman gave me the skinny in a conversation elsewhere. Raytheon is doing even better work with planar waveguides.

Lockheed-Martin has a better PR office. 

[230RN]

Gee, no lead required.  <<<pun.  on purpose.

[LadySmith]

I'll just keep waiting for this. 

[Fly320s]

Was it mounted on a shark? It wasn't mounted on a shark, was it? Call me when it is mounted on a shark.

[MechAg94]

The article said the truck was left running, but it didn't say if the laser made it stop.  Based on the picture, it looks like it barely burned through the hood. 

[Phyphor]

I'll just keep waiting for this. 

That'd be great for door-to-door salesmen.....

"Is it on stun, or disintegrate? Which one...? Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do you? "
 

[Scout26]

The article said the truck was left running, but it didn't say if the laser made it stop.  Based on the picture, it looks like it barely burned through the hood. 

It says it disabled the engine.  Altough the "Softer target area" would be behind the windsheild.  Wonder how it works on those or it the glass refracts the beam?

[MechAg94]

It says it disabled the engine.  Altough the "Softer target area" would be behind the windsheild.  Wonder how it works on those or it the glass refracts the beam?

Also, how long did it take to do it?  How long does it need to stay on target?

[230RN]

"It says it disabled the engine.  Altough the "Softer target area" would be behind the windsheild.  Wonder how it works on those or it the glass refracts the beam?"

Yeah, I can see it now.  Cars with mirrors all over.  Instead of "reactive armor," you'd have "reflective armor."

Heh.  Or thousands of glass balls all over the vehicle to make it retroreflective.  "Take that, laser artillery guys!"

Terry

REFs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroreflector
http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-214944-Reflective-10-Ounce-Spray/dp/B000LNVC1M

[HankB]

Wonder what the wavelength is?

If it's a wavelength that the eye's lens and cornea are transparent to, there will probably be insanely restrictive ROE's being applied to the use of this weapon.

I can just imagine the JAG corps going after the operator if some terrorists are blinded by the lasers, either from the direct beam hitting them for a fraction of a millisecond or from scattered and reflected light . . . after all, they prosecute soldiers if they shoot back too much, so think of the fun they'll have hanging out some poor GI for injuring a terrorist.

[230RN]

^ Good question.  Near red or IR would give better penetration of smoke and dust and clouds and such, but near-UV would transmit more energy?  Yes?  No?

Green?

CO2 laser? (Infrared.)  I watched a CO2 laser cutting molybdenum once.

Need help on that one.

REF:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_laser

[makattak]

Umm... given the distopian future we appear to be headed for, do we REALLY want to cheer for drones with frickin' laser beams attached?


(Interesting- autocorrect thinks "distopian" is "pianist"...)

[birdman]

Wonder what the wavelength is?

If it's a wavelength that the eye's lens and cornea are transparent to, there will probably be insanely restrictive ROE's being applied to the use of this weapon.

I can just imagine the JAG corps going after the operator if some terrorists are blinded by the lasers, either from the direct beam hitting them for a fraction of a millisecond or from scattered and reflected light . . . after all, they prosecute soldiers if they shoot back too much, so think of the fun they'll have hanging out some poor GI for injuring a terrorist.

Its Yb fiber, so 1.05um.
As for the rest, its more complex than that, but the general rule is, if its not face-safe, it doesn't matter that its not eye-safe.  Basically, kill them and it doesn't matter if on-the-way you blinded them.