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Directed Energy Weapons: Star Wars Redux?
Recent tests of prototype directed energy weapons (DEW) have made it clear that this form of weaponry has moved beyond just a theoretical concept. Although lasers were first demonstrated in 1960, advances in a wide range of science disciplines have allowed various forms of DEWs to be refined for both civilian and military uses. Weapons classified as DEWs include high energy lasers, electromagnetic railguns, and radio frequency weapons such as high-power microwaves and ultra-wideband weapons. So how close are we to the deployment of DEWs and what is driving the development of such weapons? Are the latest class of DEWs real or is this a Star Wars redux?
