Lasers and anti-air drones are the future of anti-drone weaponry, both of which are needed in addition to existing air defense solutions like CIWS, Patriot, and THAAD.
For the lasers specifically, it makes a ton of sense powering them with a nuclear reactor which mandates at least a battlecruiser sized ship. Powering them with diesel generators is just not realistic.
With all that said, lasers currently aren’t ready for prime-time; I would like to see the Trump battleship money put into laser R&D, anti-drone drones (like Ukraine has), and small frigates, a ship class we are sorely lacking on.
Once the lasers are close to fully operational, we can revisit nuclear powered battle-cruisers to power the lasers for fleet defense; as it might make sense to simply go with more nuclear powered carriers with lasers on them instead. In fact, the Ford-class carriers we are building have about double the power budget they currently use, precisely for future upgrades to radars and lasers.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the US does have lasers that are ready for prime time. There’s been plenty of examples in the past of them managing to keep higher tech stuff out of public knowledge until it’s already been obsoleted.
Lasers and anti-air drones are the future of anti-drone weaponry, both of which are needed in addition to existing air defense solutions like CIWS, Patriot, and THAAD.
For the lasers specifically, it makes a ton of sense powering them with a nuclear reactor which mandates at least a battlecruiser sized ship. Powering them with diesel generators is just not realistic.
With all that said, lasers currently aren’t ready for prime-time; I would like to see the Trump battleship money put into laser R&D, anti-drone drones (like Ukraine has), and small frigates, a ship class we are sorely lacking on.
Once the lasers are close to fully operational, we can revisit nuclear powered battle-cruisers to power the lasers for fleet defense; as it might make sense to simply go with more nuclear powered carriers with lasers on them instead. In fact, the Ford-class carriers we are building have about double the power budget they currently use, precisely for future upgrades to radars and lasers.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the US does have lasers that are ready for prime time. There’s been plenty of examples in the past of them managing to keep higher tech stuff out of public knowledge until it’s already been obsoleted.
Then just wrap the drones in Cucumber or wet towels and you’re laser proof again.
Or use waterbeads/gel like tech ingredients.