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Raytheon CGI rendition:
As we initially reported here, we now have the ability to shoot down aircraft with high-powered lasers. The LaWS (Laser Weapon System) and Maritime Laser Weapon Systems are built onto the Phalanx target-tracking platform, but use lasers instead of bullets to take down targets. Raytheon’s Maritime Laser Weapon System was just demonstrated at the Farnborough International Air Show 2010. Here is the actual video:
The laser system in the video is 50,000 watts. Dailytech.com reports that Northrop-Grumman has announced a laser milestone of their own – the first 100,000 watt solid-state laser. Incorporating Northrop’s twice-as-powerful lasers, the LaWS and MLWS could be even more effective.
[Fast Company] via [dvice]