I was being a little snarky earlier, but the laser is far more 'green' than most other weapons.
Not shrapnel or nitrates. No DU. High tech alloys with 'weird' trace constituents aren't delivered to the target. A very high percentage of the energy utilized by the device is delivered to the target. No nanoparticles are delivered by the beam. I'm not sure if it is practical to use the laser to clear vegetation, but if it is, there would be no agent orange involved.
It really is a very enviro-friendly device.
Whatever waste stream is generated in building the laser is amortized over numerous targets because it is reusable. I'm pretty impressed. An automated sentry device, (if allowed by treaty) would obviate the persistent hazard of landmines, it might be approved just because of that characteristic.
Not shrapnel or nitrates. No DU. High tech alloys with 'weird' trace constituents aren't delivered to the target. A very high percentage of the energy utilized by the device is delivered to the target. No nanoparticles are delivered by the beam. I'm not sure if it is practical to use the laser to clear vegetation, but if it is, there would be no agent orange involved.
It really is a very enviro-friendly device.
Whatever waste stream is generated in building the laser is amortized over numerous targets because it is reusable. I'm pretty impressed. An automated sentry device, (if allowed by treaty) would obviate the persistent hazard of landmines, it might be approved just because of that characteristic.
