Future Weapons

The Navy has mounted a small (15KW) laser on a decommissioned destroyer, and held the beam stable enough to cut into the fuel tank of an outboard motor about a mile away. Nice trick. They hope to eventually work their way up to a 100 KW device which should prove interesting.

About 10 years ago I wrote a purchase order for a 100KW laser, and had it delivered at a cost of about $250K. If the Navy is interested, I could probably order another one and have it delivered to their favorite shipyard. They are used for welding automotive airbag inflators together. The aiming technology seems to be worked out, and the cost, by DOD standards seems quite reasonable.

I'd be interested to see what one of these could do to the inflatable part of the inflatable speedboats the Iranians are using to harass shipping in the strait of Hormuz. Probably less than a short burst from a Phalanx gun, but with greater denyability.