SCI/TECH: Mobile High Energy Laser Test Successfully Destroys Large Inbound Rocket

Originally posted by wolve
hey people,

I have a few question:

Does anyone know how large such a unit is ? how large the "power pack" how Many Kw/MW the laser shots at und lastly what the reloading speed of this unit is ?

It sounds very interessting... if it can fire at rapid speeds without having to reload for X minutes and without needing a deploy a small reactor near it

Wolve

The size of the unit is currently 2 semi truck trailers...
that is going to come down in size prior to deployment.
The MTHEL is a multi-megawatt laser, that's all the open source info on the power.

Yes there is a generator onboard, however power for the actual laser comes from the chemical fuel for the laser, in this case it's an oxygen/iodine concoction, (COIL).

Regarding the recovery time between shots, figure about 5-7 seconds for the chemicals to provide power for another shot. This time should decrease as the laser is further refined.

well from what ive been reading and observing for the last half year is that a new arms race has started

I can hardly believe in it. There are some points about the MTHEL that needs to be enlighted.

I dont see what is the tactical interest, for example.

Is it a relicat of the cold war ?

And, anyway, if the missiles fly above the cloud masses, the MTHEL will have no utility.

I would rather things to many others DEW's tactical weapons, but a laser, now ?