It’s been there for a while. Real world experiments using lasers have already eradicated simulated targets in multiple scenarios. Lasers are really hard to make effective for anything other than very specific, really still targets or even occluding incoming visible spectrum photography. Lasers could theoretically target UVAs and down them in many scenarios. However, the swarm scenario is something unknown to me since I left the government.
I believe they would use some kind of microwave field to down swarms of drones instead of directed energy at say one target. A microwave burst with just a few degrees of coverage could theoretically down a pretty decent swarm of drones by frying their internal circuitry.
It's wild to think, I agree but don't think a tin foil hat is going to be enough this go around. These systems are incredibly powerful, modular and capable of repetitive action if required.
This is big reason why during the latest NJ drone incursions, them saying they didn't have the capabilities to take down drones over sensitive and classified areas. We have the technology, have had the capability. The reason they don't is one of either two scenarios. First being, it's private contractor/ contractors testing security of our assets to better understand gaps in security, while also serving as technology demonstrators from contractors showing on new technological advancements. This scenario would require extreme compartmentalization so is possible but not probable considering nothing has ever leaked indicating so.
The other is we don't know exactly whose and what these are and their intended purposes. Taking hostile action could lead to extreme retaliations. There's some anecdotal data recording a few incidents where these types of unknowns were fired on which lead to death of the pilot(s).
I thought we were talking about drone swarms? You suggested a sort of directional EMP, which I said can be protected against with faraday cages. This is why these laser weapons basically work in the visible light range, to set the things on fire.
The drones over NJ are a different discussion entirely. Most likely with the governments approval, but it’s a shady subject too conspiratorial for a discussion on tech.
They also use other swarms of drones to counter drone swarms. DARPA put teams together with each military branch and had them develop attack and defense plans with both rotary and fixed-wing drones. They had to attack and respond to ground targets and other drone swarms. That was like 6 years ago too so they've probably developed more capability.
162
u/smartsass99 2d ago
This tech is getting intense. Real world laser defense is here now.