Comments on: Smaller, Deadlier http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/ Your Source for Defense and Military News Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:18:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Troy Harskjold http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/#comment-53 Troy Harskjold Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:40:24 +0000 http://theyearindefense.com/?p=1162#comment-53 Just a little more FYI on this subject. The land based Laser si about 3-5 meters across and I read the article about in either "Soldier" or "Army" magazine. The picture of the laser was on the cover. It spoke about successful tests and the article also mentioned the vehicle mounted version that you referenced above. 2002 - 2005 editions I believe. Just a little more FYI on this subject. The land based Laser si about 3-5 meters across and I read the article about in either “Soldier” or “Army” magazine. The picture of the laser was on the cover. It spoke about successful tests and the article also mentioned the vehicle mounted version that you referenced above. 2002 – 2005 editions I believe.

]]> By: Chuck Oldham (Editor) http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/#comment-52 Chuck Oldham (Editor) Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:52:33 +0000 http://theyearindefense.com/?p=1162#comment-52 That's a new one on me, Troy. The last time we covered the program in detail was when we were doing a book with DARPA. At that time, Zeus was at about 1 kw and had been deployed to Afghanistan. Afterwards, I understand it was boosted to 2 kw and deployed to Iraq, but since then as far as I knew it was in limbo. I also heard they shaved a lot of weight off of the system. Alaska, huh? I'll look into that. And thanks for your comment. That’s a new one on me, Troy. The last time we covered the program in detail was when we were doing a book with DARPA. At that time, Zeus was at about 1 kw and had been deployed to Afghanistan. Afterwards, I understand it was boosted to 2 kw and deployed to Iraq, but since then as far as I knew it was in limbo. I also heard they shaved a lot of weight off of the system.

Alaska, huh? I’ll look into that. And thanks for your comment.

]]> By: Troy Harskjold http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/#comment-51 Troy Harskjold Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:42:45 +0000 http://theyearindefense.com/?p=1162#comment-51 No actually I was referring to the the small version of the Zues that is located in Alaska. Tis one has been used to destroy IED's using laser energy at distances of 200M with heat. This also causesd the detonation to to less lethal since it catches fire internally moreso than being detonated with a heat/pressure type fuze. No actually I was referring to the the small version of the Zues that is located in Alaska. Tis one has been used to destroy IED’s using laser energy at distances of 200M with heat. This also causesd the detonation to to less lethal since it catches fire internally moreso than being detonated with a heat/pressure type fuze.

]]> By: Chuck Oldham (Editor) http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/#comment-50 Chuck Oldham (Editor) Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:30:26 +0000 http://theyearindefense.com/?p=1162#comment-50 You're thinking of the Avenger anti-IED/Mine laser system. Yes, the technology has been around for awhile, but the problem has been miniaturization as well as a consistent power source. Airborne Laser isn't mounted on a 747/E-4 airframe for crew comfort, it's to allow room for the plumbing and power source. Developing a useful weapon that is light enough and can have a useful rate of fire is the challenge. And remember the Avenger laser is on the order of 1 kilowatt. The article covers programs developing lasers that generate 50-150 kilowatts and could make for viable weapon systems if they can get the power up and the weight down. You’re thinking of the Avenger anti-IED/Mine laser system. Yes, the technology has been around for awhile, but the problem has been miniaturization as well as a consistent power source. Airborne Laser isn’t mounted on a 747/E-4 airframe for crew comfort, it’s to allow room for the plumbing and power source. Developing a useful weapon that is light enough and can have a useful rate of fire is the challenge. And remember the Avenger laser is on the order of 1 kilowatt. The article covers programs developing lasers that generate 50-150 kilowatts and could make for viable weapon systems if they can get the power up and the weight down.

]]> By: Troy Harskjold http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/smaller-deadlier-directed-energy-weapons-progress/#comment-49 Troy Harskjold Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:57:57 +0000 http://theyearindefense.com/?p=1162#comment-49 Interesting article, but this article is a bit behind. We currently have a HMMWV mounted energy weapon, testing has been done on airborne laser systems. The technology is there, its the miniaturization that has to be worked on. Interesting article, but this article is a bit behind. We currently have a HMMWV mounted energy weapon, testing has been done on airborne laser systems. The technology is there, its the miniaturization that has to be worked on.

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