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2025
Developed a laser gun that burns metal
The 250 W portable laser device, capable of burning through metal and igniting various materials, was developed by an American enthusiast. This became known in early June 2025 after the publication of a demonstration video in which the author showed how a pistol burns zinc coins with a blue laser beam, melts plastic and damages surfaces with high thermal conductivity. The device is made in the form of a compact manual module and is distinguished by a high concentration of energy on a minimum area.
The inventor is the author of the YouTube channel Styropyro. It assembled a laser setup from components purchased from online sites and a hull from an old radar. The design looks compact, but in terms of power it corresponds to professional laboratory equipment.
Tests have shown the devastating capabilities of a homemade pistol. A dazzling blue beam instantly burns through plastic utensils, rips up balloons and sets matches on fire without physical contact. After installing an additional lens, the device began to ignite zinc coins - the metal smoked and caught fire, leaving a characteristic white trace in the air.
The creator conducted a series of experiments with various materials. In one experiment, a laser beam connected two razor blades into a single piece. In another experiment, exposure of powders in a ceramic dish resulted in the formation of an artificial crystal. Working with the installation requires special protective glasses and compliance with safety measures.
The power of a laser gun is hundreds of times higher than the safe level for a person. Even a small fraction of the light flux can cause severe eye burns or ignite highly flammable materials. The device is assembled at home from affordable components, which is of concern to specialists.[1]
The Russian army received laser weapons to destroy UAVs and aircraft
In early June 2025, it became known that the Armed Forces Russia received a mobile laser complex designed to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft. The system is used by the Nomad Special Forces (OSpN) detachment, which includes mobile air defense groups. More. here
Israel has shown the real use of a laser system against drones. It destroys UAVs from 10 km
At the end of May 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) demonstrated the real use of a laser system designed to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is alleged that it allowed dozens of drones to be hit during the fighting. Read more here
2024
Using laser guns to combat UAVs in China
In mid-August 2024, it became known that China had installed laser-guided energy weapons on the landing ship to counter drones, satellite networks and other advanced attack or surveillance technologies. Read more here.
A laser installation for the destruction of drones was created in Belarus
An innovative laser installation for the destruction of drones has been developed in Belarus. A video demonstration of the latest weapons was presented on June 20, 2024 to the public, confirming its high efficiency and potential. Read more here.
US Army uses laser weapons in Iraq in combat conditions
In early April 2024, it became known that the US Army uses laser weapons in Iraq in combat conditions. Such installations are used to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and artillery shells. Read more here.
China has created laser weapons to destroy hypersonic missiles
At the end of March 2024, it became known that Chinese scientists and the military developed laser weapons to destroy hypersonic missiles. Moreover, as established in the course of research, an increase in beam power does not lead to a proportional increase in missile damage. Read more here.
Russia has developed a laser guidance system for guided missiles
The Ramensky Instrument-Making Plant (RPZ) developed and patented a new optical laser beam target guidance system for Russian missiles. The new technology became known on January 26, 2024. Read more here.
2023
Israel began shooting down missiles with a laser
In mid-October 2023, information appeared that the Israeli Ministry of Defense decided to accelerate the development of an air defense (air defense) laser complex called the Iron Beam. The system is used to intercept missiles launched from the Gaza Strip. Read more here.
US Army receives laser air defense system
On August 9, 2023, it became known that the US Army received a new laser installation, which is planned to be used as an air defense system. Read more here.
Lockheed Martin's 500kW laser weapon announcement for planes
On July 28, 2023, the American military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin announced an increase in the power of its solid-state laser weapon from 300 kW to 500 kW. The installation is planned to be used in the interests of the US Army. Read more here.
Belarusian company showed a laser module for destroying drones
On May 19, 2023, the Lamb Scientific and Technical Center (Belarus) presented a module for destroying unmanned aerial vehicles using a laser beam at a distance of up to 1.5 km. The company said that the device was created based on the results of a project implemented for one of the Middle Eastern customers. Read more here.
Lockheed Martin unveils combat laser for US Army
In mid-January 2023, the American military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin introduced a combat laser for the US Army with a capacity of 300 kW. The company was chosen by the US military to scale the architecture of a combined high-energy laser with a spectral beam. The device is designed for air defense, and can also be part of military vehicles and used in combat conditions to defeat various targets. The project was named the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI). Read more here.
2022
Britain has £100m high-energy laser weapon
In early November 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a successful test of Britain's first powerful long-range directed energy laser weapon called DragonFire, held on October 17 at the Porton Down Science Park training ground in Wiltshire. Read more here.
US Navy receives Lockheed Martin tactical laser weapon worth $1 shot
In August 2022, it became known that the US Navy received the first tactical laser weapon developed by Lockheed Martin. Among the features of the system called HELIOS are power of more than 60 kW, almost unlimited ammunition and a shot cost of about $1 (excluding the cost of equipment). Read more here.
Russia has created a laser that destroys drones from 5 km
On May 18, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov announced that the Russian army had begun using a new generation of laser weapons, which are capable of destroying air targets at a distance of several kilometers.
 | Laser systems have been developed and almost serially produced, which have an order of magnitude large powers that already allow thermal damage to various means, "he said. |  |
According to the deputy chairman of the government, during the tests, a laser at a distance of 5 km burned a drone in 5 seconds. The device collapsed. At the same time, the name of the new laser system is not announced.
Borisov expressed confidence that conventional weapons will be replaced by laser and electromagnetic weapons in the coming decades.
He also noted that the Peresvet combat laser complex is already supplied to the army in series, the Deputy Prime Minister noted. It can "blind all satellite reconnaissance systems of a likely enemy in orbits of up to 1.5 thousand km," disabling them.
The complexes are used to cover the movement of strategic missile systems. As Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported, these complexes are deployed in positional areas of five divisions of strategic missile forces.
According to Borisov, in the coming decades, the troops will receive new weapons "on new physical principles," including laser weapons.
Earlier, the president Russia Vladimir Putin suggested that tactical-level combat laser systems - weapons "that have only recently been found in fantastic stories" - in the coming decades will "largely determine the potential of the Russian army and navy." In the same year, Peresvet complexes were put on combat duty[2]
Building laser weapons to intercept mines and drones
On April 18, 2022, Rafael announced the successful testing of Iron Beam laser weapons in various conditions against threats on steep trajectories, including UAVs, mortars, missiles and anti-tank missiles. These weapons should complement the Israeli air defense system - the Iron Dome. Read more here.
2021: World's first drone with laser weapons created
In December 2021, it became known about the creation of the world's first drone with laser weapons. A model called Eren was developed by the Turkish state research institute Tübtak and a private company Assguard in conjunction with the forensic department of the Main Directorate of Security. Turkey More. here
Notes
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