US Navy’s laser test could spell trouble for pirates
April 15th, 2011 - 7:47 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattNew York, April 15 (THAINDIAN NEWS) The US Navy has successfully tested the first high-energy laser on sea. The test was carried out off the coast of California.
The Navy did not release details of the new weapon but they said the success of the test is a milestone in their quest to eventually come out with a weapon capable of disabling the ships of enemies. With the threat of pirates from the Gulf of Aden, the development of the weapon has been welcomed.
During the test, the navy used the laser to destroy an outboard motor immobilizing it completely. The video of the test has been made available on the Internet. The director of air warfare and weapons at the Office of Naval Research, Michael Deitchman, told reporters that the weapon which was mounted on a Navy Warship successfully destroyed the ship which was more than a mile away.
It is much difficult use laser on the sea because of several factors. The device has been used in air and on the land before but this is the first time that a breakthrough has been made on the sea.
Deitchman explained that the weapon could help keep enemy ships away from the US Navy ships.
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Tags: air warfare, breakthrough, coast of california, enemies, enemy ships, energy laser, gulf of aden, high energy, laser test, milestone, navy warship, new weapon, office of naval research, outboard motor, pirates, several factors, us navy ships, weapons