Pictures of Boeing's Humvee-mounted Laser Avenger

We heard about Boeing's tests of the Hummer-based Laser Avenger last month, but Popular Mechanics managed to score some pictures today, and...well, stay away from that truck. Interestingly, all that gear produces just a centimeters-wide beam, so it looks like our dreams of hand-held laser weapons might still be a ways off. Check the read link for more pics -- including one of the laser taking out a drone aircraft on the ground.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 1:43PM]

Why is the military working on lasers when our troops are getting blown up by ordinary explosives?

Our famously expensive military-industrial complex keeps building the wrong thing.

Let's cut them off.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 8:16PM]

Yeah, it's probably a bad idea to make weapons more lethal and accurate at a distance. Hustle up there and get close to 'em with a pistol, that's the way to do it.

[bunny rabid Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:37PM]

WOMAN: No! That drone aircraft is peaceful, it has no weapons --

TARKIN: You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the province!

(steps closer)

TARKIN: I grow tired of asking this, so it will be for the last time: Where is the location of the rebel base?

WOMAN: Anbar... they're in Anbar Province.

TARKIN: There, you see, Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready.

WOMAN: What?

TARKIN: You're far too trusting. Anbar is far too remote to make an effective demonstration. But don't worry, we will deal with your insurgent friends soon enough.

WOMAN: Noooo --

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 4:09PM]

Lets play spin the planet!

[SilverBlade Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:38PM]

Looks like something right out of a cartoon..

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 6:02PM]

so instead of friendly fire we'll have friendly fries

Sorry this thing it just too lethal to everyone involved - after looking at the photos featured on Popular Mechanics website - and reading some more I can't really place this on the battlefield in a real engagement.

Auto-aim development coupled with friendly positioning mesh networks is the only way this thing is going to be given any role - otherwise this will be the front and centre of any convoy - and the PR stunt they pulled mounting it on a humvee will probably get the funding - this thing belongs on a tank and should be developed for long range use.

Nilay think about centimetres wide bullets instead we're not that far off from hand held units - just intensity and lethality (fatality re: killer instinct anyone?) instead of a guy with a flamethrower you have a back pack mounted power supply for Act of Denial weapon - aim at head and start swirling - it's like a wireless tazer :]

[Fuzzball Posted Nov 14th 2007 8:51PM]

WANT

[Jagster Posted Nov 14th 2007 9:33PM]

So all it takes to defeat this is a mirror? Imagine the enemy reflecting it back at us.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 4:53AM]

Well, no. All it takes to defeat this is hiding the IED. Not too many troops have been wounded by the IEDs they could see.

You don't need a multi-billion dollar laser system to blow up an old artillery shell stuffed in a dog's carcass. But it's typical of Army thinking.

[ChewChewTrain Posted Nov 15th 2007 2:50AM]

Whatever happened to the battlefield laser that quickly paints enemy troops and blinds them by burning out their retinas?

[suhag1029 Posted Nov 15th 2007 8:55AM]

all i wanted were some sharks with some friken lasers!