![The Army's Drone-Killing Laser Weapon](https://cdn.magzter.com/1357655529/1708525531/articles/5mmTfcA9v1708603828115/THE-ARMYS-DRONEKILLING-LASER-WEAPON.jpg)
Sky Sweeper// The four vehicles are known as Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD for short. "Directed energy" refers to the laser, "maneuver" refers to the fact that the laser is mounted on a mobile vehicle, and "short range air defense" is the vehicle's officially designated mission.
DE M-SHORAD places a 50-kilowatt-class laser on a double-hull Stryker infantry combat vehicle, the latest version of the Stryker designed to provide additional protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ground explosions. An onboard generator provides power to the laser, and the vehicle also sports airborne threat detection, tracking, and targeting equipment.
The result is a self-contained system that doesn't require an entourage of support vehicles and can roll out and provide aerial protection for other maneuver forces like Stryker, tank, and mechanized infantry companies.
The laser on DE M-SHORAD works by focusing an intense beam of laser light on a target.
This story is from the March - April 2024 edition of Popular Mechanics US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2024 edition of Popular Mechanics US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Our New Moon Epoch](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/9cYENwpph1720079873361/OUR-NEW-MOON-EPOCH.jpg)
Our New Moon Epoch
WHEN HUMANS GET INVOLVED IN places they weren't invited, things start to change. The Moon is no different.
![The Surprising Drama Behind the Decimal Point](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/tKrVTqVym1720079694471/THE-SURPRISING-DRAMA-BEHIND-THE-DECIMAL-POINT.jpg)
The Surprising Drama Behind the Decimal Point
WHEN GERMAN MATHEMATICIAN Christopher Clavius introduced the world to the humble decimal point in 1593, he used it in one table, and never mentioned it or used it again.
![Rapid Evolution](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/swYlbq4jH1720079514912/RAPID-EVOLUTION.jpg)
Rapid Evolution
ON APRIL 26, 1986, THE No. 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in northern Ukrainethen part of the Soviet Union-exploded, sending a massive plume of radiation into the sky. Nearly four decades later, the facility and much of the surrounding area remain uninhabited-by humans, at least.
![THE OBELISK "LIFEFORMS" HIDING IN HUMANS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/f7UcRuybi1720079239568/THE-OBELISK-LIFEFORMS-HIDING-IN-HUMANS.jpg)
THE OBELISK "LIFEFORMS" HIDING IN HUMANS
WE'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S EXCITING OR not that scientists have just discovered new \"lifeforms\" inside our bodies. Tiny bits of RNA, smaller than a virus, colonize bacteria inside our mouths and guts and have the power to transfer information that can be read by a cell.
![The First AntiShip Ballistic Missile Attack](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/g9yijewZs1720079059069/THE-FIRST-ANTISHIP-BALLISTIC-MISSILE-ATTACK.jpg)
The First AntiShip Ballistic Missile Attack
HE U.S. NAVY DESTROYER MASON (DDG87) was wrapping up a mission rescuing a tanker from pirates in the Gulf of Aden when the situation sharply escalated. The ship's radar detected at least one-or possibly two-missiles moving toward its position at supersonic speeds, each loaded with well over a half ton of explosives.
![HOW TO GET STARTED SOLDERING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/vLBtQcBIu1720078528433/HOW-TO-GET-STARTED-SOLDERING.jpg)
HOW TO GET STARTED SOLDERING
Soldering is rapidly becoming the skill of a bygone era. Much like the ability to drive a car with a manual transmission, read a map, or write a check, younger generations are learning less about how to work with their hands-and it's time for that to change.
![AFTER YOU DIE, A UNIVERSE EATS YOUR BODY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/UMkLBYMvz1720077923798/AFTER-YOU-DIE-A-UNIVERSE-EATS-YOUR-BODY.jpg)
AFTER YOU DIE, A UNIVERSE EATS YOUR BODY
SCIENTISTS ARE UNRAVELING THE SECRETS OF THE NECROBIOME THE ECOSYSTEM THAT TAKES OVER OUR CORPSES AFTER DEATH.
![SHARPENING YOUR TOOLS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/6wEM0DBFP1720077416786/SHARPENING-YOUR-TOOLS.jpg)
SHARPENING YOUR TOOLS
TOOLS LOSE THEIR EDGE AND BECOME DULL. That's a fact of their existence.
![CATALYTIC CONVERTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/mUnDt-BYB1720076945898/CATALYTIC-CONVERTER.jpg)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
THERE'S AN ARMY OF THIEVES COMING FOR YOUR
![A BLISTERING INFERNO. A WHIRLING TORNADO. A SHOCKING CRASH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2250/1739318/x1ID2DCDF1720075921118/A-BLISTERING-INFERNO-A-WHIRLING-TORNADO-A-SHOCKING-CRASH.jpg)
A BLISTERING INFERNO. A WHIRLING TORNADO. A SHOCKING CRASH
AERIAL FIREFIGHTERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CRITICAL LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST RAGING WILDFIRES. BUT INCREASINGLY EXTREME BLAZES AND A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT HAVE MANY WONDERING HOW WE'LL ADAPT TO FIRES OF THE FUTURE.