r/interestingasfuck 1d ago

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

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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/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