AH-64 fires high energy laser making it first time a helicopter has done so

[chopper2004]

https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/first-ever-helicopter-based-firing-high-energy-laser-now-completed/

[c-bert]

Interesting, although I'm still none the wiser as to what a High Energy Laser system actually does, in terms of effects on the target and the type of target it's suitable for.

[vernon99]

Interesting, although I'm still none the wiser as to what a High Energy Laser system actually does, in terms of effects on the target and the type of target it's suitable for.

I think it is to be used in lieu of an on board oven for warming up your ACC(chicken curry) or MREs for those on the ground?:}

[Lonewolf_50]

The article reports a 30 kW l@ser: whatever those usually do is what this can probably do.
This Navel item shoots down drones, apparently (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/dec/10/us-navy-laser-weapon-video).


This story suggests that the RAF would like to get into the game (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/05/uk-military-announces-contract-to-develop-death-ray-laser-weapons).

[tucumseh]

My guess is the difficulty to date has been with the targeting system. I saw the laser itself (obviously a low power version, and probably a much earlier technology) being used to hit metal plates in the lab at a UK Uni in 1986 (work sponsored, I believe, by MoD). Quite alarming at first as you didn't know what to expect. RSRE then took over the work until its staff were made redundant about 10 years ago (when MoD pulled QQ's funding). Which makes Min(DP)'s statement a little misleading. I'm sure the RAF would like to get back into the game!

[Lonewolf_50]

Aye, why not get back into the game? Seems like progress is being made to where systems being fielded is less "way in the future" than formerly.

[FakePilot]

Maybe it's meant to be used against flocks of drones?

[Lonewolf_50]

@FakePilot: heh, funny you mentioned that. My son and I had that exact conversation last night. (What would you use that for?)