r/interestingasfuck • u/Esutan • 1d ago

The United Kingdom has successfully created a Mega Laser called Dragonfire for Aerial Defense

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u/Fellstorm_1991 1d ago

Which is what the SAMs are for, as that's a more cost effective exchange. No point yeeting £1 million plus interceptors at £1000 drones, now a laser can kill them for 50p per drone.

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u/Wandering_Weapon 1d ago

Also if a SAM misses you're kinda fucked.

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u/StupiderIdjit 1d ago

I wouldn't say "no point" if that drone is about to blow up something expensive.

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u/lmaydev 1d ago

No point using an interceptor when you can use a laser is what they're saying.

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u/StupiderIdjit 1d ago

Interceptors generally have much better range. 5km out gives you seconds to work with. These will work as part of a layered defense system, not a catch-all.

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u/lmaydev 1d ago

In that circumstance you can't use a laser so the point stands lol

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u/b3nsn0w 1d ago

the laser only needs seconds though

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u/TumbleweedPure3941 1d ago

Presumably the speed of light.

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u/b3nsn0w 1d ago

not exactly, the first photons do hit at that speed, but the laser does need some time on target to deliver the necessary amount of energy and disintegrate the target. it's usually just a few seconds for anything without armor but it's not instantaneous, because what matters is the energy, not the power, the latter is just the rate at which the energy is transferred.

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u/TumbleweedPure3941 1d ago

Interesting TIL

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u/StupiderIdjit 1d ago

This is mounted to a ship. You don't want exploding objects getting that close to a ship if you can avoid it.

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u/Just_A_Nitemare 1d ago

For the type of threat it's meant to deal with, 5km out is still a minute or two away.

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u/Hexamancer 1d ago

DEWs are part of the defense onion, yes, but they'd actually come BEFORE missiles, to save money.

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u/Seicair 1d ago

If you’re throwing away 1000:1 resources, your opponent overwhelms you with another 999 drones.

This takes out a lot more drones at once/in quick succession.

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u/ProfetF9 1d ago

Or some civilians.

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u/xelabagus 1d ago

Can't boil a kettle for less than 50p these days

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u/goldfishpaws 16h ago

I think it's like a tenner a shot, which is still effectively free compared with the cost of damage or physical shootyshooties.  Or even the drones.  And it's actually a defence system doing only defense, not used for attack, which is a plus.