Sarah O'Donell
In a move that sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie, the UK Government has tested what it intriguingly refers to as a “speed of light laser weapon”, launching it from atop a British Army combat vehicle.
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This cutting-edge weapon was developed under the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator program. The weapon has now been put through its paces at a firing range in Porton Down, Salisbury. The Ministry of Defence reports that the “revolutionary” test was a success, with the laser demonstrating its ability to neutralize targets over a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The announcement of this new test sparked a flurry of perplexing headlines, as it was referred to as a “speed of light laser weapon”.
While this might sound awe-inspiring to those who weren’t paying attention in physics class, it’s worth noting that all lasers travel at the speed of light, which is the speed at which all massless particles must travel. It’s akin to marketing your new water product as “extremely wet”.
However, the laser is still a remarkable feat, especially if you’re interested in neutralizing enemy drones. The key advantages of this weapon are its light weight and portability, making it possible to deploy it 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,” said Matt Cork, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Programme Lead, in the press release. “This technology offers a precise, powerful and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces.”
More testing is scheduled for later this year, with army personnel set to evaluate the capabilities and advantages of the “light speed laser weapon” in “real-world scenarios”.
