Laser Weapons - They Are Here Today, Soon Ubiquitous In The Modern Battlespace

Ronald Reagan was all about promoting the concept of Star Wars laser weapons with the ability to shoot down incoming ICBM weapons, Soviet Bombers or anything else that was deemed a threat. The Space Race and Cold War was in full bloom and coming to an end, mainly due to the USSR running out of money and economically imploding trying to keep up. Back then, we didn't have laser weapons, but wanted them, much was a bluff, but soon, these laser weapon systems will be everywhere and used for all sorts of uses. Let's talk shall we?

Not long ago, I was interviewed about the future of advanced laser weapon systems. Daniel the interviewer asks; "Do you think we will soon see laser weapons? Why?"

Yes, and in the US we are really already there, now onto the challenge of miniaturization. Perhaps building a small laser system the size of a small refrigerator to fit into the bomb bay of an F-35 or F-22 and I have no doubt that will happen within 5-10 years, great for our allies who buy our stealthy F-35, but bad for any and all adversaries. We are working on a smaller system mounted on truck and Humvee, we've proven concept.

In the USA we also have ship mounted laser weapons devices for defense too. In the near future perhaps even a hand-held device, no not like a Star Trek Phaser, but more like a larger version of an assault rifle. There are still challenges with these types of weapons such as air-density and the type of laser in airborne applications. Also the power needed, especially in the case of man-portable units. Another problem is the time required on target for a good kill when using lasers to defend against swarm attack.

Laser weapons do not make sense for every niche in the battlespace or future battlespaces, but they are viable nevertheless. It might be the science fiction loving minds of researchers or our love for Star Wars which continues to guarantee the funding for such things. But high-tech weapon systems merely for the sake of it, makes no sense. Cash strapped nations should consider costs of such systems, and they will.

The US has many allies who would love to have these systems, and BAE and others are working on systems of their own now. The Russians have a research program too, and the Chinese as well, yes, much of it is borrowed tech, got to love the spy world and cyber hackers - it seems these days Top Secret = 1 Month, and then there is WikiLeaks, you know how it is?

Luckily, these systems are tough to engineer, tough to produce, and hard to get right - but humans are the smartest of the Earth's primates, and every nation with an advanced military has rounded up their best 150 IQ, Human+ scientists to work on such projects. No need to kid ourselves, laser weapons will be ubiquitous in years to come. For now however, it is a matter of getting the most bang (zap) for the buck.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Military Technologies. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net.



 By Lance Winslow


Article Source: Laser Weapons - They Are Here Today, Soon Ubiquitous In The Modern Battlespace