The Air Force Just Got a Brutal New Laser Cannon

It's like a bug zapper for enemy aircraft.

Pew Pew

The U.S. Air Force finally has its hands on the laser cannon that military tech contractor Raytheon built for it.

The laser weapon, which can be mounted onto the back of a vehicle, is designed to help the Air Force take down hostile drones, Engadget reports. While the military will spend another year testing the cannon, the delivery represents an escalation in the arms race as more countries work to develop dangerous lasers.

Trial Period

The Air Force will test out the cannon in real-world scenarios overseas for the next year, though it's not clear how that's distinct from active deployment.

The laser itself can fire dozens of shots per charge, according to Raytheon. But the Air Force could also hook it up to a generator to deliver a "nearly infinite number of shots," the contractor said.

Sharpshooting

The laser cannon is meant to stop drone swarms from surveilling or attacking military equipment, Engadget speculates.

The system comes equipped with infrared and optical sensors that allow it to spot, track, and ultimately target drones in the area, zapping them straight out of the sky.

READ MORE: US Air Force gets its first anti-drone laser weapon from Raytheon [Engadget]

More on lasers: The U.S. Military Is Mounting a Giant Laser Cannon on a Destroyer