The US armed forces gives up on Laser weapons

[TrustMe]

Does anyone from the 1980's remember the DOD Star Wars program  

 

https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-military-laser-weapon-programs-are-facing-a-reality-check

[Stuart Galbraith]

Now pew pew pew? Disappoint.

I idly wonder if it might come back as a means of disrupting homing missiles on US Aircraft. That should be somewhat easier to achieve than conducting mission kills on aircraft, which is frankly something that could be done just as well by a m61 or a Sidewinder.

[Burncycle360]

They cancelled the 747 airborne laser program before someone figured out you could aim it downward.

 

Hellfire is messy, imagine taking out the guy in the back seat of the toyota while the uber driver goes home with a story to tell and the wedding across the street is untouched...

[Stuart Galbraith]

 

[Rick]

From an eyeball lecture about 40 years ago, the excimer laser used in some eye surgeries, was a spin off from the "Star Wars" program. 

[Dawes]

$Billions and decades later they throw in the towel? About time, I guess. 

[EchoFiveMike]

They probably realized it's about to start fielding actual useful systems, so it's time to cut it off.  S/F....Ken M 

[rmgill]

On 5/24/2024 at 6:32 PM, Burncycle360 said:

They cancelled the 747 airborne laser program before someone figured out you could aim it downward.

Wait, I've seen that movie!

On 5/24/2024 at 6:32 PM, Burncycle360 said:

Hellfire is messy, imagine taking out the guy in the back seat of the toyota while the uber driver goes home with a story to tell and the wedding across the street is untouched...

I'm not sure the Hellfire Switchblade is THAT accurate. 

[shep854]

So do we have an in with the Juice Spayz Lazer Corpse?

[Stuart Galbraith]

Looking on the positive side, the US is likely to corner the laser pointer market for the next quarter century.

[shep854]

7 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Looking on the positive side, the US is likely to corner the laser pointer market for the next quarter century.

👍

[rmgill]

I want to see EOtech and Aimpoint close the IR LAM gap with HoloSun.