I believe that these weapons are a viable option for future warfare. Directed Energy Weapons are basically laser beams that are highly powered and can destroy targets. They have been used experimentally with success and are being refined as we speak.
Small lasers which could be placed on planes and drones could one day destroy incoming threats while the aircraft attacked ground targets using other DE weapons, such as high-powered microwaves aimed at air defenses.
There is a tremendous upside to the potential use of these weapons in that they won’t run out of ammunition as other weapons do which always limits their potential. This would allow ships and drones to engage targets far longer than if they were relying on conventional missiles and ammunition. And in an extended conflict overseas with supply lines potentially cut, it could mean not running out of ammo at the wrong time.
Cost could be another major advantage, the report says. Defending U.S. bases in the Pacific against a salvo of 30 Chinese ballistic missiles could require firing $700 million worth of interceptor missiles, it says. Ground-based lasers could fire fusillades of defensive shots that essentially cost the same as not shooting at all.
Though lasers are now too big to mount on small planes, they could be deployed defensively at bases and on ships within a few years. The way to continue to win is to continue to grow and develop. I believe that we should invest in these new weapons. www.militaryringexpress.com
