The American company Raytheon, specializing in the production of weapons, held recently tested its laser system. For comprehensive testing will take more time, but the gun has proved to be very good — was able to fix the flying drone and destroy it.
The installation was mounted on the Apache attack helicopter, which then rose into the air, changing altitude, speed and direction. The developers were satisfied with the result, even in such difficult conditions, the laser cannon could hit a target from a distance of half a kilometer.
To mass production is still very far away, because combat lasers is full of unsolved problems, one of which is power consumption. The laser needs a lot of electricity, in fog or dust it does not work very well.
But the military believe that all the makings to become a good weapon, Raytheon is developing, because the current weapons of the same Apache helicopter is very expensive, in addition, its ammunition is limited, and laser bullets will never stop. In addition, the laser can not be heard, and a shot from a laser gun can not predict in advance, which gives him a great advantage over other types of weapons.
If developers will be able to solve the problem of energy consumption and targeting of the laser in conditions of poor visibility, they can replace the usual weapons of various military equipment. According to optimistic forecasts, the us army will start using combat lasers in five to six years.
The us military has experienced combat laser in the helicopter
Vyacheslav Larionov