If some of us have thought that military grade lasers are overrated and nothing more than a science fiction then those of us are in for a surprise. A successful trial run of Lockheed Martin’s ATHENA military laser has drilled a hole through a running Ford F-150 pickup truck from almost a mile away.
As a matter of fact, ATHENA’s power is its orders of magnitude and it is higher than what was initially desired for the movie Terminator, a phased plasma rifle with a 40-watt range, whereas ATHENA directs 30 kilowatts of energy downrange.
Developed by Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, Calif., ATHENA is based on the Area Defense Anti-Munitions (ADAM) laser weapon system and it has been verified to be effectual against small airborne and sea-based targets, as the company reports. It integrates the 30-kilowatt Accelerated Laser Demonstration Initiative (ALADIN) fiber laser. According to Lockheed Martin, this system unites multiple fiber lasers into single amalgamated beam with the help of a technique known as spectral beam combining that is much more powerful compared to the individual laser modules.
Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin’s chief technology officer, said in a statement “Fiber-optic lasers are revolutionizing directed energy systems. We are investing in every component of the system – from the optics and beam control to the laser itself – to drive size, weight and power efficiencies. This test represents the next step to providing lightweight and rugged laser weapon systems for military aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks.”
The truck in this scenario, as it appears, was parked, motor and drive train running. As per Lockheed, the laser burned through the manifold of the engine in only a matter of seconds from the distance of more than a mile away or so.
From what can be deduced from the photo that Lockheed Martin has released, the pickup was certainly not on the move. The laser most probably has been computer-guided to facilitate such a tight and compact hole. Regardless of what the scenario is, it is difficult to debate about the result.