Aerospace Picture of the Day

YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL)

YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL) - laser module

YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL)

YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL)

I was reading years ago (if memory serves me right which it may very well not; can't seem to find the article) that the COIL laser (Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser) at full power or near to it, produced a "basket ball-sized" spot on a target with the equivalent heat of 10,000 100 watt light bulbs

YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL) - laser module operation diagram

Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL)

Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL)

Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL)

Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL)

Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL)

Free Electron Laser (FEL)

Free Electron Laser (FEL)

Early info on the Free Electron Laser (FEL). Best read at source. Interestingly, FELs have fallen silent these past few years, causing one to wonder if there are any "black" programs in operation with early "robust" capabilities, involving this novel coherent light source technology...

https://www.wired.com/2011/02/unexpectedly-navys-superlaser-blasts-away-a-record/