Laser weapons for the military by 2023?

Dr. David Walker, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, said the Air Force is working with Special Operations Command to develop an offensive laser that will be fitted to AFSOC AC-130 gunships.

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Part of that technology, he said, includes ‘beam-steering and power and thermal management.’

‘The Air Force is flying every day with lasers under its transport aircraft, using them as infrared countermeasure system,’ so we too spun off lesser-capable laser systems and as we get larger power outputs and better thermal management out of smaller package lasers, we will build those powers into defensive to offensive capability as well,’ Walker said.

The Navy’s science representative described similar laser programs for ships, subs and Marines.

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