Directed energy lasers - fact or fiction?

Posted on: Feb. 16th, 2006 || Source: janes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

More than a century after HG Wells' fictitious Martians used their 'heat-rays' to barbecue half the UK armed forces and to cut a warship in half, it is still unclear exactly when effective, 'speed-of-light' high-energy laser technology will enter the battlefield.

The demonstration of an airborne system is at least six years behind schedule and the construction of a second operational system has been deferred under the Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) budget while more practical and affordable systems, including short-range systems, are still in the laboratories.

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