Raytheon’s new anti-aircraft laser finds place in US Navy’s Phalanx

Laser is steadily developing into a weapon for the future, the claim further solidified by the unveiling of the Laser Close-In Weapon System by America based firm Raytheon. The anti-aircraft laser has been tested against unmanned aerial vehicles, and given its 50 kilowatt beam the laser is good enough to be used against aircraft, rockets etc., a reason the laser’s found place in U.S. Navy's anti-missile defense system, the Phalanx. This radar guidance mechanism has a multiple barreled 20mm Gatling gun hooked to it, which with the Raytheon’s laser will get a boost.

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There is a drawback with the anti-aircraft laser, besides its power being absorbed by certain materials it also gets absorbed in moist air and fog, thus Navy may just have to consider these issues which are prevalent in the oceans. The laser in such conditions gets absorbed before it reaches its target and thereby weakening the side in combat. Catch the Phalanx in action after the jump.

Via: BBC/FastCompany