From tiny computers that can also make phone calls that we keep in our pockets, to internet cryptocurrency, to a wonder material that seems to do whatever we can think up, the modern-day world has some impressive technology. We’ve caught up to a lot of tech featured in science fiction, such as tablets and flexible displays, but one kind of science fiction tech we don’t yet have that always seemed approachable in the real world is weaponized lasers. However, as soon as next year, the US Navy is planning on deploying just that — a weaponized laser that will be attached to an amphibious ship being used as a sea base.
The laser will be capable of shooting down not only surveillance drones, but opposing vessels, and the cost of one burst could be less than a buck.
The benefits of a weaponized laser, aside from being a cool thing from the movies, are plentiful. Not counting the theorized cheap cost, a laser is much safer for the attacker, as it removes the need to require potentially unstable explosives. So long as there is power, the laser will be able to fire, so if you don’t bring enough bullets but have a way to generate electricity, you’ll still be able to blast things out of the sky and water.
Though the laser will have many benefits, it still most likely won’t eliminate the need for some tangible, puncturing ammo. Due to the nature of lasers — being light and energy — something as simple as poor weather could disrupt the weapon entirely. Sand, dust, water vapor, and smoke could all disrupt the beam by scattering its light, potentially turning a plume of smoke into a literal force field. Also, much like in science fiction media, a reflective surface can disrupt the beam, making a mirrored coating a viable layer of protection.
Along with the seemingly simple methods of protection, the laser is a line-of-sight weapon, which means it can’t shoot at something it can’t see, unlike a missile that can be guided across vast distances and levels of terrain. Furthermore, the prototype isn’t yet strong enough to take down planes or missiles.
If the Navy’s projections are accurate, we’ll find out whether or not we’re living in a cool sci-fi world sometime next year.