US destroys missile with airborne laser for first time(RAW) - Video.

[AfghanAmbush]

They've been working on this for a while now, finally we get to see one in action.

LiveLeak.com - US destroys missile with airborne laser for first time(RAW)

 

[Saiga]

Interesting !
What would happen if you apply reflective coating to the "target" ?

 

[AfghanAmbush]

Interesting !
What would happen if you apply reflective coating to the "target" ?

Most of the reflective coating will probably melt in seconds, but what happens if you put a LI-900 silica tiles? The same kind used in the space shuttle for reentry?

 

[Kilo 2-3]

The Airborne Laser had some early problems when confronted with the shells of ICBMs. The laser just couldn't always melt the shell of the missile. However, heating up the missile could fry the electronics, and so even if the missile was not destroyed, it was mission killed.

On the other end of the destructive DEW spectrum, the Advanced Tactical Laser currently flying is designed to defeat armor (How It Works: The Flying Laser Cannon | Popular Science, Advanced tactical laser aircraft fires high-power laser in flight, Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL)).

Reflective paint might not work well on a tactical missile since it would betray its position and complicate camouflage efforts while on the ground (you'd have to cover the shiny warhead, use extra netting, etc.) Not a major problem, but a hassle for those who would have to use it.

Adding ceramic tiles would add significant weight to the missile, greatly reducing range. It might work on an ICBM, but for a Scud-type weapon it seems to be a bit much. Also, no not every nation has the technical know-how to build these kinds of ceramics. (Russia might, given their work with the Buran Space Shuttle).

 

[Feanor]

The real issue is getting the targetting data to this laser, and fielding sufficient numbers of these lasers to intercept a potential ICBM attack. I mean ultimately the GBI system could also serve as a BMD against a mass ICBM launch. But the price tag would be through the roof. I also doubt these lasers are currently meant to deal with Tochka and Iskander style missiles. Although ultimately in the long run, who knows.

 

[Pyongyang]

looks fancy. but according to great leader it will never work against the great Taepodong-2...

 

[kgb_agent]

if americans will begin the laser weapon race, then they will open the pandorra box. Because any iraqi kid could blind usa infantryman by small box with semiwatt infrared laser and 4 AA batteries. And noone could understand from where the beam was.
Using of laser weapons is usa's suicide.

 

[Kilo 2-3]

accidental duplicate post

Mods, my apologies, I hit the "post" button twice. Please delete this post.

 

[Kilo 2-3]

if americans will begin the laser weapon race, then they will open the pandorra box. Because any iraqi kid could blind usa infantryman by small box with semiwatt infrared laser and 4 AA batteries. And noone could understand from where the beam was.
Using of laser weapons is usa's suicide.

Huh?

A laser dazzler and an anti-TBM laser so big you have to put it on a 747 are completely different. It's like saying the Moon and a baseball are the same because they're both round...Yeah theyr'e both lasers, but one's a weapon and the other one is a toy by comparison. Totally different purposes

Also, these types of lasers can be defeated by adeqaute protection. The DoD is proposing anti-laser contact lenses (http://defensetech.org/2004/11/29/anti-laser-contact-lenses/]ANTI-​​LASER CONTACT LENSES | Defense Tech) in addition to the fair amount of off-the-shelf laser eye protection stuff already out there. Also, there' s a US military contract out there to add laser protection to the military's new ballistic goggles (Gentex Corporation Developing Anti-Laser Ballistic Eyewear for the Military.)

Laser eye protection isn't hard to come by, so a cheap laser pointer is hardly a wunderweapon.

 

[dragonfire]

Just require a small clarification - in this test was the laser able to destroy the missile - it isnt quite obvious from the video as amazing as it is

 

[kgb_agent]

Huh?
QUOTE]
Kilo, you couldn't use eye protection glasses everywhere and always. and if this shield if off, the person became a good target for a small IR laser. to make him blind forever. or you propose to suit the mankind in anti-laser contact lenses.

 

[Waylander]

if americans will begin the laser weapon race, then they will open the pandorra box. Because any iraqi kid could blind usa infantryman by small box with semiwatt infrared laser and 4 AA batteries. And noone could understand from where the beam was.
Using of laser weapons is usa's suicide.

As if insurgents wouldn't use lasers to harm US or allied soldiers if they could just because the US decides not to stay in the laser business.
So many things have been done in Iraq and A-Stan over the last years which are far more worse than some kids trying to lase GIs.

 

[kgb_agent]

Just require a small clarification - in this test was the laser able to destroy the missile - it isnt quite obvious from the video as amazing as it is

Mod edit: Text deleted and Warning issued. There is no need to use foul language when posting. Before posting again, read and make sure you understand the forum rules. Further infractions can result in banning.
-Preceptor.

 

[kgb_agent]

it is interesting what this weapon will do if warhead is in a cloud of corner reflectors. above atmosphere for example. it seems they use optical aiming to target? what to do if optical detectors are blinded by the reflected laser beam?

 

[Kilo 2-3]

it is interesting what this weapon will do if warhead is in a cloud of corner reflectors. above atmosphere for example. it seems they use optical aiming to target? what to do if optical detectors are blinded by the reflected laser beam?

KGB, please read the entirety of this post before commenting on it.

The entire platform uses multiple lasers. The first are a set of non-visible, low-yield lasers which are pointed at the target used to acquire and gather the range, bearing, etc. of the targeted missile. Then the main COIL laser is fired, with the intent to kill the missile. All the lasers involved are non-visible, so they won't blind sensors operating in the visual spectrum. The targeting laser and the main laser are probably operating on different wavelengths and would not interfere with each other.

It isn't Star Wars with neat little packets of glowing lasers. Its a long, continuous invisible beam.

I'd also presume that radar is also used to track the missile, although I don't know it if provides targeting data.

(Laser Weapon Knocks Down Missile Off Calif Coast - CBS News)

As for the issue of exoatmospheric shots. As far as I know, this is in the domain of missile shields (not a literal shield...)/EKVs. The Airborne Laser is designed to engage shorter-ranged TBM (Theater Ballistic Missiles), weapons which do not fly at the same ultra-high altitudes as ICBMs.

 

[ewen55]

KGB, please read the entirety of this post before commenting on it.

The entire platform uses multiple lasers. The first are a set of non-visible, low-yield lasers which are pointed at the target used to acquire and gather the range, bearing, etc. of the targeted missile. Then the main COIL laser is fired, with the intent to kill the missile. All the lasers involved are non-visible, so they won't blind sensors operating in the visual spectrum. The targeting laser and the main laser are probably operating on different wavelengths and would not interfere with each other.

It isn't Star Wars with neat little packets of glowing lasers. Its a long, continuous invisible beam.

I'd also presume that radar is also used to track the missile, although I don't know it if provides targeting data.

(Laser Weapon Knocks Down Missile Off Calif Coast - CBS News)

Please remember that enough light has mass too. The physical energy hitting the missle from a 5 meg laser is equivalent to the impact of a World War Two vintage 75mm shell. The amount of weight of electrons is miniscule, but they are moving at the speed of light, and energy increases to the square of the increase in velocity. Quite simply, the thing could be a flying mirror, and the laser's energy would simply batter a hole in it.

 

[Kilo 2-3]

Please remember that enough light has mass too. The physical energy hitting the missle from a 5 meg laser is equivalent to the impact of a World War Two vintage 75mm shell. The amount of weight of electrons is miniscule, but they are moving at the speed of light, and energy increases to the square of the increase in velocity. Quite simply, the thing could be a flying mirror, and the laser's energy would simply batter a hole in it.

Photons don't really have mass....but I do agree, the light particles might have some effect. Still, I think heat is the most effective element of this particular laser.

Be nice if we had some pictures of the target, or whats left of it....

 

[ewen55]

Photons don't really have mass....but I do agree, the light particles might have some effect. Still, I think heat is the most effective element of this particular laser.

Be nice if we had some pictures of the target, or whats left of it....

The picture I saw of ground testing done at Los Alamos several years ago showed a neat circular hole perhaps 15 to 18 cm. wide punched through a smooth steel cylinder. I believe it was in Aviation News and Space Weekly.

 

[dragonfire]

obviously laser can damage the missile or smth else under certain conditions.
-it is painted in black
- lunched just in ftont of this fucking laser carrier
- it was made at the same place where the laser was built.
- you are making the footage for american taxpayer

else it cant destroy the target.

OK am not too sure about the content of your post, this was the video of a test so the missile was obviously launched for the benefit of the laser platform. Does the color of the missile really affect the test/platform except if it was some radar aborbant material therefore interfering with the targeting acquisition

Also in this video the laser fires for some time but the exhaust plume (the only visible part fo the missle) of the missile keeps going strong even after the laser stopped firing. So it begets the question did the Laser actualy affect the missile ?

 

[kgb_agent]

Please remember that enough light has mass too. The physical energy hitting the missle from a 5 meg laser is equivalent to the impact of a World War Two vintage 75mm shell. The amount of weight of electrons is miniscule, but they are moving at the speed of light, and energy increases to the square of the increase in velocity. Quite simply, the thing could be a flying mirror, and the laser's energy would simply batter a hole in it.

you mixed photons and electrons. First one is the quantum of EM field. Second - elementary particle. This beam is not the electrons beam.
because of einstain formula E=mc^2, any energy has mass. So photon has mass too.
What energy this laser has? 5 megawatts??? to large - you need a permanent power source of 6-7(estimation) megawatts on the board, because of not 100% efficiency of conversion of source power to beam power.