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Laser Warfare: A Discussion
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Post by
Queggy
Note:
I personally have no feelings really one or or the other about laser warfare. The sole reason that I created this thread was to generate a useful topic into Randomness.
When most people hear of lasers, they generally think along the lines of Star Wars, Star Trek, and other sci-fi types of lasers. Yet, some people might be surprised to learn that we already have laser weapons. For instance, the
Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL)
. This "weapon" is currently designed to fly above a countries airspace and shoot down missiles.
A specific passage I want to draw attention to in the link is
In theory, the ABL could be used against hostile fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, or even low-earth-orbit satellites (see anti-satellite weapon). However, as they are not its intended target, the capability against them is unknown. The ABL infrared target acquisition system is designed to detect the hot exhaust of TBMs in boost phase. Satellites and other aircraft could have a much lower heat signature, making them more difficult to detect. An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists discusses potential ABL use against low earth orbit satellites.
Use against ground targets seems unlikely. Aside from the difficulty of acquiring and tracking a ground target, firing through the dense atmosphere would weaken the beam. Ground targets such as armored vehicles are not fragile enough to be damaged by a megawatt-class laser. Another program, the Advanced Tactical Laser, envisions air-to-ground use of a megawatt-class laser mounted on an aircraft better suited for low altitude flight.
But how hard would it be to modify the laser to be put on a tank? Or possibly just a cannon/turret at a base that wipes out anyone coming near?
Now the main question that I had about laser warfare is this:
How would it be possible to dodge a laser beam being fired at you?
It all boils down to who fires first, who has the best armour, and who has the more powerful gun. If you can lock on to your target with the laser, then (for all purposes of the discussion) the beam you fire at them would be instantaneous. The target would have no chance to dodge. But maybe, they have a special type of armour that is more resistant to laser beams, they survive the attack and then fire at you. And wouldn't the use of lasers eventually all but eliminate the need for infantry? First off, infantry wouldn't be able to carry a big enough laser weapon to be of much use. Second off, they wouldn't be able to carry enough armour to withstand a more high-powered laser. So if they don't have enough armour to have a chance of surviving, they can't even carry enough firepower to penetrate a more heavily armoured vehicle, and they can't dodge any attack, why use them?
Discuss.
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149406
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307081
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Post by
Queggy
IBIFML
(in before a certain internet meme)
Now the main question that I had about laser warfare is this: How would it be possible to dodge a laser beam being fired at you?
I don't think this is a really important question, actually. It's not possible to dodge lasers... but since when has it been possible to dodge bullets or missiles? Really?
Well, I sort of incorporated more questions after that one, but anyways, my point was that at least you had more of a chance surviving against bullets and missiles.
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307081
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307945
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83266
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Post by
Queggy
Only because we have developed whatever defenses we could against those things over time. I'm sure we will soon (if we haven't already) have defenses against laser attacks - if lasers really become widely used in warfare.
We could strap mirrors to people so the lazers just reflect off
Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can cause eye and/or skin damage. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this class.
From
this
page.
Mirrors are too unpredictable and could cause damage to yourself and your allies.
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307945
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Post by
Queggy
There would probably be a suit they would think of that can absorb the lazor and shoot it off somewhere else.
And you would be able to move in a suit that could do this?
Post by
Queggy
Imagine being able to fire around corners.
But wouldn't this require mirrors?Only because we have developed whatever defenses we could against those things over time. I'm sure we will soon (if we haven't already) have defenses against laser attacks - if lasers really become widely used in warfare.
We could strap mirrors to people so the lazers just reflect off
Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can cause eye and/or skin damage. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this class.
From
this
page.
Mirrors are too unpredictable and could cause damage to yourself and your allies.
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307081
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Post by
Queggy
Or a whole lot of gravity to bend the laser!
:O
Post by
421339
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Post by
Queggy
Now on a more serious note mirrors could really do the job. From what I read on
this
page it only will cause eye damage. Which is easy avoidable by special goggles.
Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can cause eye
and/or skin damage
. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this class.
Bolded for emphasis. And that is only referring to scientific and industrial lasers. I would think that a military grade laser would be more powerful.
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307081
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421339
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Post by
Skyfire
I think with the development of lasers in warfare will come development of non-kinetic shielding, much like you might see in Star Trek.
Post by
Blitzfire
I honestly believe that the world has its next 5 generations of weapon development complete and has them stored in a bunker ready to pull out of their ass in an emergency, don't upgrade from bullets if they still work, once the enemy gets resistant to them, BAM, we got lasers.
But thats just my paranoia...
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