Directed-energy weapons

Scientists said on Jan. 16 they have used a laser beam to guide lightning for the first time, hoping the technique will help protect against deadly bolts and one day maybe even trigger them.

Lightning strikes between 40-120 times a second worldwide, killing more than 4,000 people and causing billions of dollars worth of damage every year.

When the first laser was invented by Theodore Maiman in 1960, it was almost immediately seen as a potential super-weapon

As the 2020s proceed, laser weapons are rapidly evolving from a promising concept to practical battlefield weapons

The state leadership was informed that the work on the preparation of the starting point for the new state armament program has been completed, and it will be formulated and submitted for adoption by the middle of 2023.

The laser system will protect Israel from missiles, rockets, drones and other threats

The laser must be focused on the fast-moving missile long enough to have an effect

An Apache helicopter just successfully honed in on and hit an unmanned target with a laser gun, according to a press release from Raytheon, the weapon’s manufacturer.