Many countries have already been successful in using military lasers, including the United States. The ultra-short pulsed laser weapon has been developed by the Americans. It is expected to be three orders higher in power than current models. The weapon will be compact enough to fit on Army platforms, and it will fire up to 50 pulses per second.
This weapon is designed to protect stationary objects from multiple threats. For example, the laser may be used to hit missiles and UAVs. It can also be employed to slow down vehicles, or zap mines. Lasers are used in industry to drill holes through sheet metal. Lasers are also used to control crowds. They can be used to enhance the apprehension or protection of violent subjects.
Laser beams may cause permanent or temporary vision damage. The intensity of vision impairment will depend on the wavelengths and the exact orientation of laser beams as well as the length of exposure. For example, a police officer can aim a laser beam at an opponent's eyes, and pull the trigger, causing a short-term visual impairment. The police officer can issue a warning verbally or arrest the opponent.
The laser beam can also serve as a stun weapon. An electrolaser can be used to ionize the target path and send an electric current along the conducting track. The laser beam produces a shockwave which vaporizes the target's surface. Alternately, the laser can produce an electromagnetic pulse. The EMP is strong enough to take down drones, aircraft and other targets. However, the EMP is capable of causing damage to measuring instruments. The effectiveness also decreases with distance.
The US Army is currently developing a tactical pulsed laser weapon that can be used on Army platforms. The pulsed laser will fire up to 50 pulses per second, producing a high-energy energy pulse. This weapon may be visible to enemy personnel and will be three orders to three times more effective than continuous beam lasers. It is also capable of blinding strike weapons or overwhelming enemy electronics.
The new weapon of the US Army will be used on Stryker armored personal carriers and Stryker armored persons carriers with a specially-designed firing control program. It will also be used in the SHORAD anti aircraft defense system. SHORAD's system includes a detection, targeting, heavy machine gun, as well as a special fire control program.
The US Army will begin industrial production of directed energy weapons in 2024. The lasers will have a power of at least terawatt, which is one million megawatts. The lasers are small enough to be used on Army platforms. The Army intends to purchase 650 units of the lasers for 36 battalions.
The US Army developed an ultra-short pulsed laser weapons system. It is three orders to magnitude more powerful than any of the samples. The weapon will fire up to 50 pulses per second, making it more effective than continuous-beam lasers. It can be carried on Army platforms.