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The UK says it conducted a 'groundbreaking' trial of a laser beam weapon that can neutralize targets for $0.12 a shot

https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-says-tested-laser-beam-weapon-multiple-targets-neutralize-drones-2024-7

The UK's MOD said it test-fired a laser weapon that can track multiple targets and costs just $0.12 a shot, as nations look at ways to combat drones.

The UK says it conducted a 'groundbreaking' trial of a laser beam weapon that can neutralize targets for $0.12 a shot

The UK said it test-fired a laser beam weapon in a "groundbreaking" trial.
The Ministry of Defence said it could neutralize targets for just $0.12 a shot.
Countries are racing to develop weapons that can combat drones and missiles.

46 comments

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Omega_Man

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The kill to cost-savings ratio on this is amazing. We can kill so many for so little!

theacharnian

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Leaving so much room for activities!

BombOmOm

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so much room for activities

The new Ford class carriers have a nuclear reactor in them that outputs about 2x as much power as the ship actually needs. If/when these are ready for prime time, prepare or some raves on the flight deck!

Buelldozer

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The USN already has two or three active DEW systems deployed and the next generation, HELCAP, is in testing now.

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2024/2024/04/us-navy-readies-300-kw-helcap-laser-system-for-intercept-tests/

NOT_RICK

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This will be used against drones and missiles. Does make me wonder what the cost per bullet is for militaries though

Nougat

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I know, I know, Quora, but this seems properly researched.

$0.23 for a round of 5.56, $0.76 for a round of 7.62. Ish.

Keep in mind, too, that lasers fire in about as straight a line as you can hope for, while bullets do not. It's going to take a lot more bullets fired to neutralize a target than laser "rounds" fired.

peopleproblems

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And laser rounds have a velocity of the speed of light, so it's pretty hard to miss if you have a perfect sight on the target

evasive_chimpanzee

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I was thinking about potential for inaccuracy due to refraction from thermal inversion layers or other temperature anomalies, but then I realized that the refraction would equally affect the optics, provided that the optics remain on target throughout the firing.

peopleproblems

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If I was designing a laser weapons system, I would probably include a targeting laser that would be of the same wavelength, and use that to automatically correct any alignment. A targeting laser, or series of lasers would require extremely tiny amounts of power compared to firing the laser weapon.

NOT_RICK

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In that case, when WW3 hits I guess I’ll use my toilet tank lid for armor

BilboBargains

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Stylish and protected, nice combo

11111one11111

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Yeah... those figures might be outdated. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't 5.56 basically the same as a .223? If so Cabellas has them in a price range of $.60-$2.20/pc. Not that the price difference is what I'm correcting. What I intended to point out was that just because you can get ammo for $.23 doesn't mean your actual cost is guna be $.23/pc. In my experience with cheap ammo you're guna have at least 1 jammed per magazine on your best days. Unlike most things, you get what you pay for with ammo. I have 3 types of ammo for my AR. 1 cheap bulk box for making it rain lead at the range. 1 mid ranged box for actual use shooting coyotes, beavers and Coons. And the last ammo type are closer to the $2.20/pc price for when there is ever a scenario where I need to send 2 bullets through the same bullet hole from 500yds out. Lol half kidding but for real the bullet to bullet consistency for weight and concentricity of the $2.20 priced ammo to the .60 priced ammo is clear as day.

Nougat

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Read the link. Those were rough prices for the military, and the poster admits that the prices are a little out of date. He's not referring to what you'd pay at a sporting goods store.

11111one11111

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Did you even read my post or did you stop at the 5th word lol.

Nougat

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I read the whole thing about how much ammo costs at retail for an individual consumer.

sandbox

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Passerby6497

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I can guarantee you're not coming close to the bulk buy per-item discount the military gets

Deme

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Cruise missiles are usually shot down with interceptor missiles, which are a lot more expensive.

ogeist

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Woooooo! Death Ray! Yeah!

FlyingSquid

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pound_heap

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For a less than you pay for a cup of coffee, you can evaporate 10 or even 50 people!