Laser Tank, 1K17 Szhatie - Soviet Union

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Recently uncovered in a military museum near Moscow, the laser tank was the culmination of Stiletto, another laser vehicle that was accepted for service but was never mass-produced. The 1K17 entered service in 1992. It had US intelligence a bit worried, but more because of the secrecy surrounding it than for any knowledge of its actual capabilities or destructive power

The tank used an intense laser beam to attack vehicles. This was created by focusing light through 30 kg of artificial rubies which made the whole system very expensive to produce. The optics that produced the laser were placed at the end of a silver coated spiral which helped amplify the beam and increase convergence. The energy to power the laser was provided by a generator and an auxiliary battery system. The lenses themselves were able to operate in different environments by moving metal caps closer to protect the lens. It was also equipped with a 12.7mm NSV machine gun to defend itself against attacks by infantry and air.

Sources:
Самоходный лазерный комплекс 1К17 «Сжатие» (фотодетализация)

secret-russian-laser-tank-01 | Danger Room | Wired.com

1K17 Szhatie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

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[Kunal Biswas]

Project moves on..

High Energy Laser Directed Energy Weapons

 

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One of the promising technologies of Cold War Era!!


Even US tested laser weapons for various requirements, One of them is YAL-1 Airbone laser aircraft. primarily designed as a missile defense system against BMs.