Lasers: Asia’s coming 'sci-fi' arms race

Rheinmetall Defence's laser system

It might be a few years still before laser beams become fully operational, but after decades of research, the day when science fiction becomes reality is approaching 

True to Newton’s Third Law on Motion, weapons development is a constant battle of adaptation with one side unveiling new technology only for the other to respond with countermeasures. Very few platforms in recent years have been as influential or attracted as much publicity as have unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which have greatly enhanced surveillance capability while giving their owners the ability to target enemies thousands of miles away at relatively little cost. 

But just as ballistic missiles are being tested with the development of more sophisticated air-defense systems, so too will UAVs in the not-so-distant future, as arms manufacturers are hard at work — and are indeed testing — laser devices to zap them down. 

My article, published today in The Diplomat, continues here.