"A laser weapon is a type of directed-energy weapon that uses lasers to inflict damage."
These are directed energy weapons that use lasers to destroy targets at incredible distances.
Laser physics: The principles and properties of light and laser beams, including coherence, polarization, and absorption.
Laser optics: The design and construction of lenses, mirrors, and other optical components used in laser systems, focusing on the properties of laser light.
Laser materials: The materials used to generate, amplify, and control laser light, including solid-state, gas, and semiconductor lasers.
Laser safety: The hazards of laser radiation and how to protect personnel and equipment from accidental exposure.
Laser range finding and targeting: The use of lasers to measure distances and locate targets, including pulse and continuous-wave methods.
Laser weapons systems: The design and operation of laser-based weapons, including high-energy fiber and chemical lasers, and their potential uses in modern warfare.
Laser countermeasures: Techniques to detect and defend against laser weapons, such as laser-absorbent coatings or smoke screens.
Laser communication: The use of lasers for long-distance communication, including the advantages and limitations of laser-based transmission.
Laser imaging: The use of lasers for remote sensing and imaging, including lidar and holographic imaging techniques.
Laser welding/cutting: The use of laser beams for precision welding and cutting of materials, including applications in industry and manufacturing.
Laser rifles: These are handheld weapons that project a laser beam capable of hitting targets at a range of several hundred meters. They are often used by special forces units and have the tactical advantage of not producing a loud report like conventional firearms.
Laser cannons: These weapons are much larger than rifles and are mounted on military vehicles or ships. They use high-powered lasers to destroy enemy targets such as tanks or buildings.
Laser-guided missiles: These are missiles that have a laser guidance system that allows them to track and hit a designated target with great precision.
Anti-aircraft lasers: These are designed to take down enemy aircraft or missiles by projecting a high-intensity laser beam at their targets.
Laser dazzlers: These are non-lethal laser weapons that emit a bright, blinding light to disorient and temporarily disable enemy personnel.
Laser-based radar: Also known as LIDAR, this technology uses lasers to create 3D maps of an environment, which can be used for reconnaissance, geological surveys, and other purposes.
Laser weapons for space-based warfare: These weapons are being developed by various countries to protect their space assets against attacks. They could also be used to disable or destroy hostile satellites.
Directed energy weapons (DEWs): DEWs are not strictly lasers, but rather a broader category of weapons that use beams of energy to attack targets. They can include lasers, microwave weapons, and particle beams.
"As of January 2020, directed-energy weapons, including lasers, remain at the experimental stage."
"One of the major issues with laser weapons is atmospheric thermal blooming, which is still largely unsolved."
"This issue is exacerbated when there is fog, smoke, dust, rain, snow, smog, foam, or purposely dispersed obscurant chemicals present."
"A laser generates a beam of light that requires clear air or a vacuum to operate."
"They can cause temporary or permanent vision loss when directed at the eyes."
"The extent, nature, and duration of visual impairment resulting from exposure to laser light depend on various factors, such as the laser's power, wavelength(s), collimation of the beam, orientation of the beam, and duration of exposure."
"Even lasers with a power output of less than one watt can cause immediate and permanent vision loss under certain conditions."
"The use of such lasers is morally controversial due to the extreme handicap that laser-induced blindness represents."
"Weapons designed to cause temporary blindness, known as dazzlers, are used by military and sometimes law enforcement organizations."
"Incidents of pilots being exposed to lasers while flying have prompted aviation authorities to implement special procedures to deal with such hazards."
"Laser weapons capable of directly damaging or destroying a target in combat are still in the experimental stage."
"The general idea of laser-beam weaponry is to hit a target with a train of brief pulses of light."
"The power needed to project a high-powered laser beam of this kind is beyond the limit of current mobile power technology."
"...thus favoring chemically powered gas dynamic lasers."
"Example experimental systems included MIRACL and the Tactical High Energy Laser, which are now discontinued."
"The United States Navy has tested the very short-range (1 mile), 30-kW Laser Weapon System or LaWS."
"It [Laser Weapon System] is to be used against targets like small UAVs, rocket-propelled grenades, and visible motorboat or helicopter engines."
"It has been defined as 'six welding lasers strapped together.'"
"A 60 kW system, HELIOS, is being developed for destroyer-class ships as of 2020."