Technology
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The UK Government has trialed what it is bizarrely calling a "speed of light laser weapon", firing it from the top of a British Army combat vehicle.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.The UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator program developed the weapon, which has now been tested at a firing range in Porton Down, Salisbury. According to the Ministry of Defence, the "ground-breaking" test was successful, with the laser able to neutralize targets further than a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The press release for the new test caused a few confusing headlines, referring to it as a "speed of light laser weapon".
While this may sound impressive to anyone who drifted off during physics class, all lasers travel at the speed of light, the speed at which all massless particles must travel. It's like advertising your new water product as "very wet".
But the laser is nonetheless impressive if you're into downing enemy drones. The key advantages of this weapon are how lightweight and portable it is, enabling it to be deployed on land vehicles for the first time.
Please note that the external image of the laser firing is a graphical representation by the UK Ministry of Defence.
"The successful testing of this high-powered laser weapon marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to enhance the future operational capabilities of the British Army," Matt Cork, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Programme Lead, said in the press release. "This technology offers a precise, powerful and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces."
Further testing will take place later this year, with army personnel set to trial the capabilities and benefits of the "light speed laser weapon" in "real-world scenarios".
