One sure fact about geeks…..we love lasers. There have been so many potential applications for lasers and yet the one that remains most exciting is no shock, weaponized lasers. The Northrupp Grumman Corp. and the United States Navy have brought this one step closer to reality. They have been working on a 15-kilowatt solid state high-energy laser which has been mounted on a decommissioned Navy Destroyer, the U.S.S. Paul F. Foster. This laser underwent its first test fire on Wednesday. $98 million was spent getting this laser operational and its first test fire against a smaller ship was a great success, even in 4 foot waves the laser found its target igniting the engines and rendering the ship dead in the water. The Navy has stated that smaller ships with smaller munitions are harder to defend against since Destroyers are typically equipped to destroy larger ships and aircraft. This laser therefore gives the precision capabilities in dealing with these annoyances in a less than lethal way if that is the desired effect.

The desired goal is to eventually equip warships with even stronger lasers of 100-kilowatts and a bit more long term with 1-megawatts of laser power, which could potentially cut through 2,000 feet of steel per second. With that kind of power I don’t think there is a structure or vessel on the planet that would be safe. The Air Force is also very excited at getting there hands on this technology so they can equip helicopters and UAVs. Just imagine, how long until this proven prototype makes the ultimate transition into space, equipping satellites with these lasers could potentially reduce the need for troops and other war machines. We could sit “at home” and fire the most powerful weapon known to man at any place at anytime without breaking a sweat. The following video isn’t the best quality, but just keep your eyes on the spot of light and watch as it bursts the engine into flames, and here’s the press release if you want to know more.