Hmm.

I think I just invented a new kind of camouflage, with the added benefit of defeating HEL fire (and brimstone). Who needs a desert uniform and a jungle uniform when the Camo-mirror Uniform (patent pending) changes with the surroundings?

http://m.france24.com/en/20170628-helicopter-hurled-grenades-venezuela-supreme-court-maduro-0

How long until we look back at the good old days when the victims of state had a chance to fight back…

“US Navy’s laser cannon blows up boats, drones in Persian Gulf”
from RT, circa 2014
https://youtu.be/eVWYIIvVWu4
(1:29)

“The US Navy’s fully operational LaWS laser uses six commercial welding lasers to obliterate aerial and seaborne targets.”

(I especially like the phrase, “fully operational.”)

This isn’t a “new weapon,” per se, but now— it’s small enough to use on a helicopter.

Just search YouTube for the phrase “tactical high energy laser.” Not a whole lot of specs are listed, but numerous video’s from Boeing & Raytheon on a number of previous configurations of these. The HEL acronym apparently covers more than one type of “high energy laser.” (and they are a combined laser + tracking unit.)

(>There is video of this specific test on Youtube.)

There’s an existing, but not field-deployed, land-mobile version called “MTHEL,” it can explode mortars in mid flight and burn holes into small rockets. It can continuously engage multiple targets and continuously fire.
-None of these HEL variants are pulsed, they automatically acquire the target and continuously burn into it, until it explodes.

This helicopter based unit is a shrunk down version of the land mobile model, which has been in development since 2003-ish. (don’t quote me on that)

(I would defer to anyone, who follows this more closely.)

And yes, Home Equity Loans can be a kind of HEL. (Unless you took your equity and bought Amazon years ago and now do not have to worry about such mundane things)

How long does the laser have to be focused on the target to cause what level of damage on what type of target?

Is the platform stable enough to allow the focus to be held for a sufficiently long time?

Can the weapon engage a moving target?

What is the rate of fire / how long between shots?

What kind of external power is required?

How many shots can be conducted before recharging or other operation is required?

What countermeasures are available for the target? Mirrors?

How does the weapon work in reduced visibility?

How much training and skill is required to employ the weapon? Coordination with others?

What kind of protective gear (special goggles, etc.) is required of the operator? For others on the battlefield, who may or may not know that the weapon is being employed?

On another note, there was a time when my personal HEL was my Home Equity Loan.

Effective range? Wattage?

Design, develop and build the most frightful and terrible machines that are possible, scare the heck out of your potential opposition and hopefully never have to use them.