Developing: Bridge Collapses Near Seattle…Unknown Injuries…See the Photos

Watch Today’s BlazeCast With Your Questions, Comments & Live Chat!

Technology

See the Navy’s Powerful New Laser Gun in Action!

Apr. 9, 2011 6:11pm Jonathon M. Seidl

Remember when lasers were relegated to video games and futuristic weapons? Well, the future is here. And it’s not a game.

On Wednesday, the Navy successfully tested its new laser gun by blasting (kind of) a moving target — a smaller boat that eventually caught fire as a result. Foxnews.com reports:

A futuristic laser mounted on a speeding cruiser successfully blasted a bobbing, weaving boat from the waters of the Pacific Ocean — the first test at sea of such a gun and a fresh milestone in the Navy’s quest to reoutfit the fleet with a host of laser weapons, the Navy announced Friday. [...]

The test occurred Wednesday near San Nicholas Island, off the coast of Central California in the Pacific Ocean test range, from a laser gun mounted onto the deck of the Navy’s self-defense test ship, former USS Paul Foster.

In a video of the event, the small boat can be seen catching fire and ultimately bursting into flames, a conflagration caused by the navy’s distant gun. Some details of the event were classified, including the exact range of the shot … .

“We were able to have a destructive effect on a high-speed cruising target,” chief of Naval research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr told FoxNews.com. As for the classified distance from which the “shot” took place: “We’re talking miles, not yards,” he said.

Fox obtained video of the test:

“This is the first time a [high-energy-laser], at these power levels, has been put on a Navy ship, powered from that ship and used to defeat a target at-range in a maritime environment,” Peter Morrison, program officer for the Office of Naval Research, explained to Foxnews.com

The new weapon, called the maritime laser demonstrator, falls under the category of “directed energy.” In the future, and as the weapon develops, lasers could be used to destroy missiles in mid-air, as well as a myriad of targets. Northman Group, which is helping develop the weapons, depicts those possibilities in this picture given to Fox:

“One of the things that amazes me about this business is that the future is getting closer every day,” Carr said.

Wednesday’s gun is just one of the lasers the Navy is developing. Read more about some of the other futuristic weapons the Navy at Foxnews.com.

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (237)

Rickfromillinois
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:06pm
What I want to know is, once they get all of the bugs worked out can I get one for deer hunting?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Al J Zira
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:57pm
  No! You’ll start a fire!
  
  Report this comment
JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:55pm
Great, lets try this weapon on the deficit and the back stabbing republicans in Washington DC.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Psychosis
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:07pm
  actually there is more to that deal than meets the eye
  
  it requires a vote to defund both pp and obamacare………………bet you didnt see that one coming
  
  its a lot tougher than you think when the senate and the whitehouse is in demo control, and a shutdown has the real potential of hurting in 2012…………..this is one bit of ammo they now cant use in 2012, and trust me, the demos wanted a shutdown
  
  Report this comment
Evileye
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:53pm
When they get it perfected It will protect the Carriers from Chinese missiles.
When the Chinese general threatened to nuke LA
We should have told him to go ahead and try
when we detect a missile aimed at us we will destroy it
then will return fire killing one and half billion Chinese
see what the bragging bastard would think of that.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Smcneill
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:52pm
It would only take a mirror to deflect it

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- herky61
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:15pm
  i remember seeing that on johnny quest many tears ago
  
  Report this comment
- herky61
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:19pm
  i saw that done on johnny quest years ago
  
  Report this comment
- herky61
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:20pm
  sorry, i meant years . time for bed.
  
  Report this comment
- C. Schwehr
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:50pm
  I keep hearing the “deflect it with a mirror BS” as the simpleton excuse for not developing lasers for military use. Hey dummy, you want to put fragile mirrors on EVERY SINGLE SQUARE INCH OF EVERY MILITARY VEHICLE AND SHIP? And how do you make a PERSON reflective? Cost ineffective, physically impossible, and no mirror is 100% efficient.
  This is just a Naval developemental test of a working prototype. Oh, and to rebut the **** heads out there…No, we didn’t have this sort of capability during the 1980′s. Lasers this powerful were in the laboratories ONLY and impossible to target at the ranges we’re seeing right now.
  We could see some type of laser defense systems on Capital Ships in the next ten years or so (after they are tweaked a bit more, and the current defacto president is removed from office) just as the Air Force could field their Theater Anti-Missile System in a couple of years.
  Additional note on military lasers: While high power lasers have been around for decades, the technology for producing a system which could fit into a current capital ship or aircraft didn’t exist. Nor was there a laser that could fire multiple times without having to be repaired or refueled. And the technology required for alignment on a moving target FROM a moving platform is just now available.
  So now we have the capability to punch holes in missiles at 150 miles, and a smaller platform capable of disabling small attack craft (or possibly incoming missiles in a different form), but your defacto president will not allow further developement for eventual use by our troops…..think about it.
  
  Report this comment
zoo9guy
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:51pm
Why aren’t they testing this off the coast of Somalia? I’d love to see one off those pirate boats burning and the pirates swimming for there lives……just say’n.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MustComment
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:49pm
Call me impatient but I like the shock and awe effect. Watching that painfully slow fire start, well there was NO awe – that is for sure.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DADA
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:47pm
This is not new. Dr. Evil had sharks with freaking laser beams attached to their heads.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ChiefGeorge
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:45pm
Can China do that? I guess the Pacific Fleet doesn’t have to worry to much now about the Carrier Killer missile the Chinese came up with, we’ll just laser it out of the sky. Thanks ONR!

Go Navy!!!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
olddog
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:45pm
About a week ago when Israel announced it new weapon for protesting itself from incoming palestenian missles I said where were the lasers. Well here they are, I knew they were out there..I knew if they had them on that flying saucer that obduted me that it wouldn’t be long before we had them.Yep you got it, the aliens are working with our government…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Broncobuster
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:44pm
I don’t understand why they couldn’t just destroy a junk boat.Those outboard motors alone are worth a huge chunk of change. No consideration of taxpayer money is ever given by the military.They know they will just get more and more money to piss away.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Jason K
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:49pm
  And I’m sure the Navy was sure to drain all the gasoline, oil, asbestos and any other thing the EPA requires them to clean up on that little boat so as to prevent a global HazMat disaster…
  
  You or I would have been hung out to dry.
  
  Report this comment
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:33am
  $30.00 Dentalflos.
  
  Report this comment
- rgranger
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 10:30am
  Barry hates fishermen more than the country, burn you blasted motors, screw your fishers!!!
  
  Report this comment
Wyatt's Torch
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:40pm
it is reminiscent of using magnifying glass to direct the suns rays to burn an ant… we didn’t have the internet when I was a kid

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Psychosis
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:37pm
i prefer the railgun that is getting closer to being operational v ( oops daddy told me not to tell anyone )

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- jackrorabbit
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 11:16pm
  At least that one has reliability on its side, and it doesn’t require long term focus for impact.
  
  Report this comment
nceagle
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:35pm
Northrup Grumman isn’t an American Company per se so those that can afford the technology and can fund the research, will purchase its products. Who is the big dog now for affording things? Not the debt-ridden USA. How long will it be before China and oil rich Muslims reach out and buy the company and all its technology? We are in some deep trouble and I think our administration is helping to make this happen…. “We have met the enemy and he is us!” Pogo.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:34pm
Yah- I wouldn’t want to be on the the guy out in the open firing the thing for 10 minutes Dodging return fire … We have lasers that can burn through 3 feet of steel in 1 second. Pulse cannons that can topple a jet at 90 miles. This thing is so boy scout..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Nigel2
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:32pm
I guess the only question is how long will it take the Chi-commies to steal it?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Jaye Byrd
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:33am
  They won’t need to steal it. Our fearless leader will give it to them
  
  Report this comment
anutter
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:29pm
Kind of reminds me of a past Blaze story not long ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtzRAjW6KO0

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Al J Zira
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:51pm
  You mean the one the kid made in his back yard that focuses sunlight? Then he proceeded to burn down his garage.
  
  Report this comment
fedlibertarian
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:27pm
pretty lame. prolly just giant magnifying glass

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:27am
  $60.00 Toothbrushes.
  
  Report this comment
RathlokSlam
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:25pm
you try putting that fire out in those conditions with an incredible heat source not letting it die down… ive been on those boats and the last thing i wanted to ever deal with was a frikkin fire

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Showtime
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:24pm
In the first story The Blaze posted, it said that it was slow for now. The Navy is working on faster, deeper.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Al J Zira
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:48pm
  A lot of us are always working on faster, deeper.
  
  Report this comment
- Showtime
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:09pm
  I didn’t know who it would be, but I figured that somebody would say something like that. I just want y’all to know that I didn’t say that to fetch such a comment. (But, no doubt you are right!)
  
  Report this comment
jeffyfreezone
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:22pm
This is utterly cool!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
teddrunk
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:21pm
Well, I’d rather spend the money on something like that than give NASA one more dime. Billions and billions, for a lousy box of moon rocks, and now they’re going to help lie to us about the climate.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- CatB
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 10:46pm
  When the Russians have the space station armed and those arms pointed at us .. you might feel differently
  
  Report this comment
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:21am
  $400.00 Toilet seats.
  
  Report this comment
satisfEYEd
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:17pm
Sorry but the video was not that impressive. I was expecting an explosion, not a slow melt that could be put out with a Home Depot fire extinguisher.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- anutter
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:26pm
  Yeah, but if they turned the beam on the guy putting out the fire, he would turn to goo.
  
  Report this comment
- Non-sequitur
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:32pm
  Nope, Lasers are surprisingly useless against human targets as our bodies basically work as giant heat sinks. They work well against ordinance or machinery, though.
  
  Report this comment
- brickmoon
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:31pm
  Maybe, but anybody want to volunteer as a test target?
  
  Report this comment
- macpappy
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:09pm
  Really, because they use lasers to burn all kinda nasty stuff off us humans. You got your facts wrong here; common sense tells you that an energy weapon like a laser will deliver just as much enery (heat) to skin as to metal. As for being a heat sink; thats fine for solar radiation, but you ain’t sinking 5000 degrees of laser energy before it burns a hole throught you. …..I think.
  
  Report this comment
- teachermitch32
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:43pm
  I volunteer Non-Sequitur. Who’s with me?
  
  Report this comment
Juan Gault
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:15pm
Warp speed,Scotty!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Glenn in Virginia
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:11pm
  Shields are next on the agenda.
  
  Report this comment
- macpappy
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:58pm
  Electromagnetic sheilds are being researched at MIT with hopeful results.
  This weapon is awesome, any damage done by a direct energy weapon at miles away, is something special. Remember, when we got our first glance at a stealth fighter, it was in action. Give the egg heads a few more years and this will be the weapon of choice. This weapon travels at the speed of light; kinda hard to run from.
  
  Report this comment
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:15am
  $1200.00 Hammers
  
  Report this comment
BetterDays
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:15pm
Critique, if it takes that long to start one little fire……..?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Stoic one
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:24pm
  it is a prototype. if this is what was leaked……..just imagine!
  
  Report this comment
- zman173rd
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:48pm
  Mee too! It also didn’t look to “HIGH SPEED”. I can imagine ragheads tossing water on it to keep itout while they themselves have a brain bake. ALL in all we’re on the right track. keep it comin boys.
  
  Report this comment
- Showtime
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:18pm
  Thought y’all woulod be interested in the message I received from Senator Johnny Isakson *R-GA):
  
  Dear Friends,
  
  I’m very disappointed that we found ourselves in the situation we did this week on a budget for Fiscal Year 2011.
  
  However, I am pleased that Congress and the President finally reached an agreement to avoid a shutdown of the federal government. I hope we will quickly resolve the short-term budget next week so we can move on to tackle the larger challenge of reducing our enormous, unsustainable $14 trillion debt during the upcoming debates over the debt ceiling and the budget for fiscal year 2012.
  
  Let’s come back next week and finish dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s and commit ourselves that the rest of the year is about America’s future. It is about our children and grandchildren. It is about reining in expenses and spending our money accountably and predictably so the American people can expect of us what they have had to do—sit around their kitchen tables to prioritize what comes in and what goes out and balance their budgets.
  
  The fiscal crisis of the past few days provides a strong example why Congress should switch to a biennial budgeting system. If we were operating under a biennial budget today, we would have prevented our government from coming within hours of a complete shutdown. That is why I have introduced the Biennial Budget Appropriations Act – a commonsense reform that would provide greater stability and predictability in the budget process while requiring Congress to conduct oversight and scrutinize federal programs every other year. It would force us to set spending priorities and to become better stewards of the taxpayers’ money.
  
  Health Care Law’s 1099 Reporting Requirement
  While I am a co-sponsor of S.192, a separate bill to repeal the entire health care law, this week I again had the opportunity to vote to repeal one of its’ costly and overly burdensome provisions for small businesses: the 1099 reporting requirement.
  
  I’m pleased to announce that the repeal passed by a vote of 87 to 12 and now awaits the President’s signature. I will continue to work to repeal and replace the health care bill in its entirety.
  
  Obama Administration Decision to Try 9/11 Suspects at Guantanamo Bay
  On Tuesday, the Obama Administration announced that it will try the masterminds of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in military commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Frankly, the Administration’s initial attempt to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City where he was the mastermind of the slaughter of almost 3,000 Americans was just plain wrong. In addition, it is wrong to grant American constitutional rights to a terrorist from another country. Although the announcement by the Administration was long overdue, I am very pleased that the President has changed course and that the 9/11 suspects will be tried away from our home soil, ensuring the safety and security of the American people.
  
  Vote Against Backdoor Attempt at Cap and Trade
  On Wednesday, I voted to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to regulate carbon. I am a co-sponsor of the measure by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that was offered as an amendment to the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, or S.493. Unfortunately, it failed by a vote of 50 to 50 with 60 votes required for passage.
  
  The last thing America’s families and businesses need during this recession is a backdoor regulatory effort by the Administration to implement cap and trade. This amendment ensures that the Administration will not be able to regulate what it could not legislate, while also ensuring that they will not add new burdensome, job-killing energy taxes. I will continue to push to repeal onerous regulations and to prevent the Administration from imposing new taxes through more regulations.
  
  I am also a co-sponsor of the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, a bill to prevent the EPA from regulating carbon, which was introduced by Senator James Inhofe, R-Okla. I believe that it is the responsibility of Congress to address the issue of climate change through legislation rather than unelected bureaucrats at the EPA and other federal agencies doing it by regulation.
  
  What’s on Tap?
  
  Next week, the Senate will move to the compromise legislative package to fund the government through Sept. 30 that the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and the White House announced late April 8, 2011, to avoid the government shutdown. The bill would lead to a total of $78.5 billion in cuts form Obama’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2011, which is approximately $38.5 billion off of the Fiscal Year 2010 enacted spending level.
  
  Report this comment
- cemerius
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 10:47pm
  Yeah likestarting a fire with a magnifying glass!! One burt and instant fire would impress me more than this “slow burn”
  
  Report this comment
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:04am
  Add your comments
  
  Report this comment
- CNCFan
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 11:01am
  The focal area was huge on this demo. Focus it down to a diameter of pencil or smaller and you will see a completely different time line. My guess this laser was effectively in idle mode.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:14pm
Great news for the defense of the fleet and maybe our forces in the field; so just how long until the admin gives the secrets out to our enemies to counter them? Assuming he has not already just up and done so.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Stoic one
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:20pm
  cool!
  
  Report this comment
- Revere1
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:23pm
  Same reaction here. The liberals hate anything that gives our military an edge. But they’ll spend endless amounts of money on social programs that won’t work. http://www.battlefield315.com/2011/03/are-liberals-patriotic.html
  
  Report this comment
- RepubliCorp
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:47pm
  Dear Navy
  Congress @ East front at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE.
  
  Report this comment
- Bob Holland
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:50pm
  It’s cool and all but is that the extent of our laser technology. You’d have time to sit back and finish your beer, grab another bite of your cheese steak before you got a mirror and deflected it back.
  
  Report this comment
- theonefromabove
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 6:53pm
  Lovin this new tech!
  
  http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
  
  Report this comment
- TXPilot
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:01pm
  Great accomplishment….however, there are hundreds of bass fishermen all over the nation crying at seeing those really nice Mercury outboards burning…..
  
  Report this comment
- MontanaRob
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:05pm
  TXPilot
  Posted: there are hundreds of bass fishermen all over the nation crying at seeing those really nice Mercury outboards burning…..
  ———————————————————————————————
  That was my first thought. I wonder if they were just mockups?
  
  Report this comment
- SavingtheRepublic.com
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:12pm
  This is probably one of the last projects that still has funding as candidate Obama promised he would “end all future weapons development”
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:17pm
  Let’s start by using them on those PIRATES that keep attacking and taking hostages ..
  
  Report this comment
- Barry Soetoro
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:17pm
  @ Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  
  Make no mistake, this is a great achievement and Snowleopard, let me be clear I will do everything in my power not inform our enemies, creditors and trading partners that this can be countered with a simple mirror, because hey, I want to sell it to them!
  
  It’s good to be King.
- Templar Knight
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:19pm
  Great news for George Lucas as well. Now he can make his new series Sea Wars.
- ForgivenWretch
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:20pm
  @ SNOWLEOPARD
  You’ll be happy to know the AirForce has (had) flying lasers. The fuselage of the plane, roughly the size of a 747, housed the giant airborne laser. The nose of the plane had a turret which aims the laser to destroy ICBMs and the like. Barry saw fit to cancel the program along with the missile defense. They were in operation and not just in the test phase. This led me to believe he doesn’t really care about this nation…..well….one of the many things.
  
  Report this comment
- ForgivenWretch
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:28pm
  @ MONTANAROB
  Pfft…..you wish. Start crying bass boy!
  
  @ REPUBLICORP
  LMAO!
  
  @ BARRY SOETORO
  Mirror eh….? I’m going into the mirror business!
  
  Report this comment
- RightWrite
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:43pm
  Why would they throw $100,000 out the window with that nice boat? They are so waisting of our money!
  
  Report this comment
- 82dAirborne
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:45pm
  This weapon is the baby. It’s the public face. At some point in the future we will see the effects of it’s MUCH bigger brother. Sometimes it isn’t a good idea to show off all of your toys!
  
  Report this comment
- Cemoto78
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:47pm
  Can I get one for my truck?
  
  Report this comment
- Marylou7
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:51pm
  Snow I’m with you on this one. Progressives hate our military.
  
  Report this comment
- Brvnkaerv
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 7:57pm
  Would not a series of bullets do the same thing?
  
  Report this comment
- colonial10
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:06pm
  I’m sure the enemy or progressives have already infiltrated northman group or maybe one of our own has become a Benedict Arnold.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:22pm
  @ForgivenWretch:
  
  I recall the airborne laser system being dumped by Obama and his cronies. Honestly though, why if he did that one in, has this one not gone the same way? Does it most likely have something to do with his disgust for the military in general, or is one of his supporters (like GE maybe) benefiting from the development of this system?
  
  @TX Piolet:
  
  True the bass fishermen will be upset with the loss of so many boats; yet think of the massive fish and hotdog cookout you could have with one of these things. Just picture the phone call…
  
  “Yes, Navy, we’re havin us a little old cookout here in the backyard, and the propane just ran out, could you maybe fire up that laser critter we have been hearing about lately…(whoosh)…ho buy! Thanks You NAVY!!! Dinner is ready!”
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:27pm
  @82ndAirborne:
  
  If they are showing this off right now, the part I have to wonder of, is do they already have, as you have put it, the BIG BROTHER, of this critter. It honestly would not suprise me much if they did.
  
  Report this comment
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:38pm
  Here’s how you counter it, with a bucket of water. This isn’t the laser weapon I’m expecting. I want something like Star Wars. I want it to blow away the target, just eventually start a small fire. I bet they’ve spent countless billions too.
  
  Report this comment
- VTDave
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 8:53pm
  They couldn’t have used a junk boat to use as a target?!!!!! Look at those twin Mercs on the back!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- leftcoastslut
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:14pm
  i think soros just collasped the U.S. currency
  
  Report this comment
- Enuff Zenuff
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:40pm
  .
  @Bob Holland
  Are you English? ’cause it sounds like you prefer your beer warm and your steak overcooked…
  
  Report this comment
- Showtime
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 9:57pm
  Has anyone heard from NZKiwi?
  
  Report this comment
- mrsmileyface
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 10:56pm
  Next will be sharks with frickin lazers attached to thier heads.
  
  Report this comment
- beckNcall
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:28pm
  Hope we have enough money to fund it?
  
  Report this comment
- Anti_Spock
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:37pm
  “As for the classified distance from which the “shot” took place: “We’re talking miles, not yards,”
  
  Impressive. And this is only in the testing phase. It sure would suck to be caught in the crossfire of one of these weapons…. “smells like chicken!”
  
  Report this comment
- paperpushermj
  Posted on April 9, 2011 at 11:41pm
  Lasers are nice but nothing beats a really big BOOM
  
  Report this comment
- Igno Ramus
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:55am
  VTDAVE—The object of the exercise was to hit a fast moving target on the water with the gun. How do you get a junk boat to move fast? Twin Mercs on ten target boats really ain’t a lot when you realize that other ‘target’ drones can cost a whole LOT more. Even playtime, practice, re-usable: boats, drones and missiles can cost a small fortune. It ain’t nice to say, but millions are spent every year to keep our troops, sailors, airmen, and pilots trained and ready. It’s just the way it is. You have to train, and the stuff you have to train with costs a bunch. How do you keep costs low? They tried not hitting the targets and it just trained us to not hit the targets. That ain’t a good thing when you GOT to hit the target. Freedom ain’t free. Sometimes it costs lives and limbs and blood. Sometimes it only costs money. Believe me money is *always* cheaper!
  
  Report this comment
- nosycophant
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:18am
  Remember free enterprise and capitalism has given us the worlds most advanced and powerful armed forces in the world, why do you think the world is always trying to keep up with and surpass us and are unable to.
  
  Report this comment
- 408 CheyTac
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 1:20am
  Not a very impressive way to destroy a 15K$ taxpayer bought outboard.
  
  Must say, I expected something more than a little fire.
  
  Report this comment
- jackal2026
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:07am
  these damn videos never work on here. i can watch videos everywhere but the blaze for some reason
  
  Report this comment
- Dannowood
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 6:10am
  Stoic; Technology for Blackhawk developed in 57. Think were we are today.
  
  Report this comment
- crackerone
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 7:37am
  All I saw was a boat motor on fire, and then the video froze?
  
  Report this comment
- PA PATRIOT
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 8:31am
  Bummer,
  That would have made an awesome fishing boat!
  
  Report this comment
- old white guy
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:03am
  snowlep, that was my very first thought.
  
  Report this comment
- Promotefreedom
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:48am
  The NWO agenda is to disarm all citizens and countries of the world. Bush already signed agreement on behalf of US with UN in 2005. According to current UN rules it is now illegal for US citizens to possess firearms. International law says that UN troops could come into US and forcibly disarm all citizens.
  
  The US is developing the laser weapons for the UN to use on us later.
  
  Read “The True Story of the Bilderberg Group” by Daniel Estulin. You will never look at politics or the world the old way again!
  
  Report this comment
- Sgt.Crust
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:49am
  This may be cool and all, but let me ask all of you a question, who and what are they going to use this technology on?
  
  Also, I know over my neighborhood, I am seeing more and more helicopters, and they are doing manouvers, what are they really getting ready for? I am not just talking about flyovers, I am talking breakoffs, and swoops and hovering, turning on and off silent mode, you name it…what is this all about, Martial Law? I know the Obumbler is planning to use this weapon against us, martial law that is, and he knows what he is doing is causing much hatred and fear, he is intentionally doing things to tank our finances and cause social unrest. We do not have much time to prepare any more, the window is almost shut now, I cannot say it loud enough or frequent enough, our way of life is going to be challenged like we have never seen it, and for those who say nothing will ever happen hear, yeah right!!! I lived through one civil war, it was hell on earth, and it will be much worse if it happens here now! Prepare or die!
  
  Report this comment
- rappini
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:51am
  I just hope our Lasers can take down China’s new carrier missle that I believe travels at mach 3.
  
  Report this comment
- frodis
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 10:32am
  Use it on the pirates.
  
  Report this comment
- Obeckian1984
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 11:03am
  We had this stuff in the 1980′s
  
  Report this comment
- paperpushermj
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 12:27pm
  Question? Would a fine spray of water counter act the laser?
  
  Report this comment
- docvet
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:19pm
  The Navy isn’t going to throw away any of their missiles yet. Lasers only work on nice clear days/nights when there isn’t any sea spray, rain, fog, etc. Highly cost effective though, missiles are single use weapons, lasers can be fired repeatedly (until it starts to rain or the enemy mounts mirrors on their vessels)
  
  Report this comment
- Donttredonme
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 2:41pm
  Finaly, its about time we start using high powered photon weapons
  
  Report this comment
- Bob Holland
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 3:24pm
  Are these lasers available to the general public? I think it would be very effective to attach one onto my trunk and to use it on tailgaters. Better yet put in on the back of my evil SUV and use it the same way but only on liberal tailgaters.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 5:07pm
  SNOWLEOPARD !! … shame on YOU !!
  
  Are you suggesting, by saying … ” … so just how long until the admin gives the secrets out to our enemies to counter them? Assuming he has not already just up and done so. …”
  … that bo would have the audacity to perform traitorous and seditionist acts ?? … oh, wait, ONE has to be an American citizen to be act so deplorably… …but he could still get his 72 virgin males, could he not ??? bo’s preference .. http://www.mancountrychicago.com . TRUTH !
  
  Report this comment
- jackrorabbit
  Posted on April 10, 2011 at 11:05pm
  Call me cynical, but this doesn’t look “real”. It looks more like a flare behind the engine, because the laser is too focused in the one spot, even though the waves were choppy. The laser should have been moving up and down the metal at least somewhat. I don’t think even a computer is able to calculate with that kind of accuracy.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 10:58am
  @CATB You have the right idea !! The Somali Coast would be an excellent test site..
  Gonna call my Congressman today,
  
  Report this comment
- JRserious
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 12:36pm
  i’m sorry, i am all for protecting our men and women in the armed forces, and yes the laser is cool (really mean it) but, how wasteful have we become as a nation that we test a laser on a perfectly good boat with twin 200 hp motors. could we not test it on a somali pirate ship. it’s not like if it didn’t work we couldn’t just hit them with a 105mm.
  
  Report this comment
- waring850
  Posted on April 11, 2011 at 2:42pm
  not cool SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.