Raytheon has developed a 20KW laser that's capable of detonating "60mm mortar rounds at a range of 500 yards." Video after the jump.
While everyone else is trying to cram the most energy into the tightest beam, Raytheon just clumped a bunch of lower power lasers into a wider beam, which turned out to more effectively heat the mortar up causing it to explode, whereas a tight, high powered beam might punch a hole right through it.[via OhGizmo]
