Rheinmetall Defence Laser Weapon Cuts Through Steel Girder Located 1,000 Meters Away
Posted on January 8, 2013
Germany based Rheinmetall Defence continues to develop its high-energy laser (HEL) technology. The company recently announced a successful test of its new 50kW high-energy weapon.
The 50kW HEL weapon was able to cut through a 15mm-thick steel girder at a distance of 1,000 meters. It also successfully shot down nose-diving target drones at a range of two kilometers. A third test involved detected and destroying a small ballistic target. The laser weapon succeeded in detecting, tracking and destroying a 82 mm (3.2 inch) steel ball traveling at 50 m/sec.
Rheinmetall is working on making the weapon more powerful. The company says "nothing stands in the way of a future HEL weapon system with a 100kW output." The company is also working on making these laser weapons mobile.
BBC News notes that other government and defense companies are also developing laster weapons, such as Raytheon.
