US Army fields first combat-capable laser weapon prototype

squarefoot 2021-08-18 06:01:03 +0000 UTC [ - ]

> With their practically unlimited ammunition costing about a dollar a round ...

I imagine this refers to the low cost of the energy required to operate the laser. It may seem a stupid question, but it had me going like "huh? a round of what?" for a few seconds.

On a more serious note, I hope they employ the technology necessary to use it with extreme care even in case of real war scenarios: if it aims at something, and misses, it's not a missile whose safety can neutralize it before hitting say a civilian aircraft flying kilometers from there in the same line of sight.

2021-08-18 06:49:06 +0000 UTC [ - ]

sam_goody 2021-08-18 09:01:58 +0000 UTC [ - ]

The U.S. and Israel jointly developed the "Iron Dome" missile interception system. It has saved lives, but if the barrage of incoming missiles is large enough, there is no way to get them all.

For the sake of anyone who lives under threat of missiles raining down on them at any given time - I hope they get this tow work. Lasers can be ground mounted, and provide a much better cover, if the mechanics could be solved.

qchris 2021-08-18 05:31:34 +0000 UTC [ - ]

> During the exercise, the soldiers recommended replacing the standard controller with commercial gaming controllers.

This is almost hilarious, but considering that I have personally and professionally flown drones with controllers that are either designed to feel like or actually game controllers (I think the Logitech F310?), I can totally believe that the operators recommended it for this armored laser truck.

_Microft 2021-08-18 06:41:49 +0000 UTC [ - ]

Doesn't the US NAVY use XBox controllers for some tasks already? I remember reading something about the USS Zumwalt destroyer and for controlling the photonics mast of a submarine that I cannot remember the name of.

colechristensen 2021-08-18 06:08:27 +0000 UTC [ - ]

A long time ago in a galaxy far away I tried and failed to make a similar argument as an intern working in defense on a soldier operated device. A d pad and A and B buttons for navigating menus.

My arguments weren’t accepted.