This $10M U.S. Army Laser Melts Drones With $3 Beams | WSJ Equipped

In Ukraine and the Red Sea, low-tech drones are changing the way wars are fought. The U.S. and other countries are investing in a new and inexpensive way to retaliate: lasers. Compared with traditional weapons, lasers present some key challenges: they have a shorter range, limited power and can be harder to fix when issues arise.

WSJ explains how the BlueHalo LOCUST laser weapon system works and why the tech is so difficult to perfect.

Chapters:
0:00 Laser weapon systems
1:03 The LOCUST
2:57 Targets
3:40 Weaknesses
4:56 Future challenges and deployment

Equipped
Equipped examines military innovation and tactics emerging around the world, breaking down the tech behind the weaponry and its potential impact.

#Military #Laser #WSJ

[Kindred]

"Operated with an Xbox controller"

Shows a gimped Dualshock 2.

[dcu]

That's the most baller surname i've ever seen "Moneymaker"

[dade]

This man has the most “Military Industrial complex” last name ever! I bet his best bud is called “John Lobbyist” 😅

[BigKandRtv]

They are interviewing a SALESMAN who is trying to sell the weapon. Let's not lose sight of that.

[displaychicken]

Can’t believe this guy is named Johnny Moneymaker. One of the best names I’ve ever seen.

[haoguo]

Moneymaker is a fine name for a defense contractor ceo to a defense department that has never passed an audit.

[maxbounce]

Comments:
10% about the video
90% about the guy’s name

[qet-lab]

Jonathan Moneymaker surely knows how to make money 😂😂😂😂😂

[Trader]

Hurry up and release a mini version to combat mosquitoes already so I won't have to wear full armor when going outside to do gardening. Lol

[Fusionframe]

That cool and all, but what about "Sharks with Lazers!" XD

[darkphoton_keV]

2 mile of range, 15 seconds to destroy a target, unless it can lock and shot while moving, it can be easily overwhelmed by 16 drones traveling at 30mph.

[jsacodes]

Mr. Moneymaker, when is the last time you’ve shaken that thing. To be clear, when is the last time you’ve shaken your moneymaker?

[sickmit]

i still think an auto turret with programmable burst ammo is a much better choice considering a drone swarm can easily overwhelm a system with one laser beam. And a swarm would only need to be 3 or 4 drones attacking from different sides at the same time.

[BASENYC]

John Moneymaker... CEO of a defense badass.

[JordanCrawfordSF]

Actually they forgot to tell you that on low power mode it can also whiten your teeth, saving on soldiers’ dental bills.

[icomefromcanadia]

The fact that it doesn't make a BWAHHHH sound when firing is a missed opportunity

[CristianmrWuno]

3$ dollar beams but US army contractors would price the whole thing x300 times its price 😂😂

[Noneofyourbusiness.-iwzb]

An ablative rubberized coating on larger military drones makes a good defense against laser energy.

[pg]

They need 2000 dollar Drones to defeat the enemy 2000 dollar drones. The 10 million dollar box would be a top target itself.

[dannyvega]

Inexpensive is a word the military-industrial complex hates...🚩🚩🚩