Northrup Grumman's Joint High Power Solid State Laser demo hit 105.5 Kw using seven slab laser amplifier chains to produce a single beam. In tests the laser operated at full power for 5 minutes. It's electrically powered and has a 20% conversion efficiency. That means it needs 500Kw of electricity input to make 100Kw of laser beam. Although 500Kw sounds like a lot, especially for a truck borne system, such a generator could be driven by a 700 hp diesel engine.
By the way, has anyone else noticed that every DoD project is named "Joint" this or that. Joint Strike Fighter, Joint Combat Pistol, Joint Belt Buckle, etc. Can interservice rivalry still live?
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