| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
US Navy now expects laser cannons on ships in Just Two Years Away
From
Wired Danger Room – ” Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, the chief of the Office of Naval Research, the Navy’s chief futurist is pushing up the anticipated date for when sailors can expect to use laser weapons on the decks of their ships, and raising expectations for robotic submarines. The US Navy should have laser cannons on ships in two years instead of March, 2012 estimates of four years.
Klunder isn’t worried about the ships generating sufficient energy to fill the laser gun’s magazine, which has been an engineering concern of the Navy’s for years. “I’ve got the power,” said Klunder, who spoke during the Office of Naval Research’s biennial science and technology conference. “I just need to know on this ship, this particular naval vessel, what are the power requirements, and how do I integrate that directed energy system or railgun system.”
Shipboard testing is underway. Klunder wouldn’t elaborate, but he said that there have been “very successful” tests placing laser weapons on board a ship.
There was a study in 2011 of laser weapons for the Navy
It is likely that this is still looking at the 100 kilowatt class weapons for shooting down drones and small boats.
They will later get the upgrades to get to the megawatt class weapons for shooting down missiles and handling other targets.
See more and subscribe to NextBigFuture at 2012-10-23 01:24:06 Source: http://nextbigfuture.com/2012/10/us-navy-now-expects-laser-cannons-on.html
Source:
