14.09.2012
German branch of MBDA successfully tested a 40-kW laser gun. According to the company's press release, the gun burned a mortar shell and a 40-mm thick metal plate in a few seconds.
According to MBDA spokesman Peter Heilmeier, in the nearest future such laser weapon will be used in combat operations. Laser guns are capable to hit targets precisely at long distances. Thanks to its accuracy, laser weapons minimize probability of undesirable damage.
MBDA began tests of the laser gun in 2008. German scientists achieved power of 10-kW in 2011. The trial gun effectively tracked targets at up to 2.3 km range with altitude difference of 1,000 meters.
Except for Germans, laser weapons are tested by the US and Israel. For one, Israel is about to mount laser or electromagnetic gun on new-generation tanks. American
Boeing jointly with British
BAE Systems in Aug 2011 began developing a naval laser gun. In addition, the US is designing a shipboard electromagnetic gun (railgun).
