Two problems that have dogged laser weapon development for some time are weather conditions and the target itself. Damp maritime air can absorb the laser energy before it reaches the target and - as developers discovered in the 1960s when trying to target Russian Mig aircraft - a reflective surface can negate much of the laser's effectiveness.
Mr Booen acknowledges this, but said that these problems could be overcome.
"
Every material reflects, but you can overcome this with power; once you get over a certain threshold - measured in multiple kilowatts - then the laser does what it is designed to do," he said.
Mr Booen said that once a material started getting hot, it affected the reflective ability, making the target absorb more energy and eventually leading to its destruction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10682693
Танки прожигать такая система не сможет, пехоту прожигать не гуманно. Вот и получается, что вроде бы технологично, но пока не сильно практично.
