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Boeing demonstrates first successful Humvee-mounted laser gun

 
4 4,734 views Jan 29, 2009
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laser avenger 001

laser avenger 001

laser avenger 001

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Testing last month at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico confirmed that a prototype weapons system consisting of a laser mounted on the back of an Avenger ground combat vehicle is capable of shooting down UAVs.

The first-ever successful demonstration of such a mobile laser weapon, which is dubbed the Laser Avenger, involved a 1kW laser system that's been adapted to track flying objects in complex situations. Shooting down UAVs will be increasingly important, as already the high-tech drones are becoming a serious threat on the modern battlefield.

But why laser guns - aside from the obvious 'cool factor', that is? The advantages to a laser-based system over conventional weapons are numerous, but primary among them is stealth.

"Laser Avenger, unlike a conventional weapon, can fire its laser beam without creating missile exhaust or gun flashes that would reveal its position," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems, the company behind the laser itself. "As a result, Laser Avenger can neutralize these UAV threats while keeping our troops safe."

The mobile laser cannon system is itself based on a fixed-position unit used for safely detonating unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices. For the Humvee-carried application, the laser's power was doubled, the system was ruggedized, then fitted with a tracking and aiming system and integrated into a package that could easily be carried by a military Humvee.

All of the conventional weaponry of the standard Avenger aerial defense vehicle is also fitted to the Laser Avenger, making it a formidable fighting machine even without the futuristic laser cannon.
Laser Avenger Humvee

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Comments (4)

  1. ma_Ken avatar Ken Posted: 1/29/2009 11:42am PST

    Where's Dr. Evil when you need him? His "Laaaay-zur" is ready!

    And when can I get one of these for my S2000? You know, to zap the stupid SUVs and minivans clogging the left lane on the highway. :)
     
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  2. ma_Ken avatar Ken Posted: 1/29/2009 11:44am PST

    I'll bet if the H2 or H3 came with this as an option, GM would sell millions of them and they wouldn't have to cut the Hummer brand from their portfolio. Quick, somebody call Bob Lutz!
     
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  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/29/2009 6:21pm PST

    Give it to me with as a pistol with a spaceship and jetpack and I would be set for the next century.
     
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  4. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 1/30/2009 5:57am PST

    all joking aside.. a 1kW laser is pretty awesome.. think.. that takes less power than that HUMVEE's air con system. you could probably run it off battery power if you had to.
     
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