Military Lasers

A major application of lasers is its use in the military. One of the most publicized uses is in directed energy weapons, that is, a weapon with a laser strong enough to cause direct damage. In 2009, Northrop Grumman, a major player in the development of military lasers, built an electrical laser capable of blasting a 100 KiloWatt ray of light. At this power, the laser is powerful enough to melt directly through artillery, destroy cruise missiles, rockets and mortar rounds!

While we do not offer anything this cool and destructive, our green portable lasers have been purchased by military personnel and defense contractors looking to implement these lasers for use as field lasers.

Below are some of the ways the military make use of lasers and lasers:

Target designation. Lasers are used to pin-point a location or target. Low power infrared lasers are often used for target designation where the laser beam is not visible to the human eyes. Special goggles or equipment is used to view the infrared laser. With this being the case, you can target an enemy building or person in complete secrecy. Military aircraft often makes use of this technology to precisely and secretly aim missiles and other destructive weaponry.

Ranging. Lasers are used to accurately find the distance between locations or objects. As lasers travel at the speed of light, when a ranging laser is fired at a far away object, the time it takes for the reflection to return to its original location is measured to calculate distance. Using the same method, the distance of the moon from the earth’s crust was accurately measured.

Defensive counter measures. Lasers are used as counter measures against precision guided munitions. A perfect example is the use of lasers to confuse a heat-seeking missile.

Laser sights. Using either an infrared, red or green laser, firearms can be accurately aimed and fired.

Eye targeted lasers. Lasers, especially green lasers, are extraordinary bright. By un-focusing a laser beam to cover a large area (like a flashlight), it can be used to momentarily blind and immobilize enemy units. These have been used in riot situations where you do not want to physically harm the target.

Lasers. Visible lasers, especially visible green lasers, are often used by the military and police agents to accurately point to far away objects. Due to the intensity of light, long distance of visibility, and portability, lasers are often carried around for pointing at objects, search and rescue, lighting dark areas far away, etc…