Surprising Science — May 7, 2010

Lasers of War

Northrop Grumman is testing a high-powered, lightweight laser that can be used by U.S. soldiers in combat settings. Use of lasers on the battlefield could change warfare significantly.

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Northrop Grumman is testing a high-powered laser that can be used by U.S. soldiers in combat settings. The “nd:YAG” laser is powerful enough to inflict damage, but it is made out of the materials are compact and transportable. The military has long wanted to develop lasers for the battlefield; they are precise, fast, and they don’t run out of ammo (as long as you have power).

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An old Mongol drawing of a man with a bow and arrow.

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