Welcome to HEL: U.S Army developing drone-killing laser weapon

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/12/welcome-to-hel-u-s-army-developing-drone-killing-laser-weapon/



Welcome to HEL: U.S Army developing drone-killing laser weapon
By Agence France-Presse
Thursday, December 12, 2013 19:20 EST

The US Army has for the first time successfully tested a vehicle-mounted laser that managed to shoot down incoming mortar rounds and drone aircraft, officials said Thursday.

Installed in a dome-shaped turret atop a military vehicle, the high-energy laser hit more than 90 mortar bombs and several small unmanned planes over a six-week test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The experimental weapon, dubbed the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), likely would not be operational until 2022 if the Army decides to purchase the system, according to officials.

The weapon, with three to five lasers, is designed to protect remote bases from mortar, artillery or rocket fire. Such attacks were frequent against “forward operating” bases in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade.

[CFLDem]

1. Nice

Not only is this way cool tech, but it will save many lives.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. If only that Yemen wedding party had one of these..

just think of how many funerals and wedding parties would benefit from this.

US Drones Kill 15 in Yemen Wedding Convoy, mistaking them for al-Qaeda
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11332675




[font style=color:#FF0000;]there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?[/font]

[Victor_c3]

3. I was going to ask how often an incoming mortar round actually hit something of value or a person

but then I remembered a good buddy of mine was killed by a 60mm mortar round

Most of the time, though, it seemed that the mortar fire I was on the receiving end of was wayyyyyy off and completely uncoordinated with any other type of enemy action.

I do realize that there is a decent amount wishful thinking, but I doubt that our military will ever be in a place to fight against a first rate military comparable in any manner to our own. Insurgencies and relatively untrained bands of local/foreign fighters will probably more of the norm.