Fans of the Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 series are familiar with the Prism Tank which has the ability to destroy enemy units using lasers. Several laser systems have been developed by the United States and Israel with success over the past five years. But Australia has bigger dreams after debuting a laser weapon that can destroy tanks.
An AUD$12.9 million contract was awarded to Australia's QinetiQ by the Australian Ministry of Defense to develop a prototype of this high-powered laser weapon. Details about the laser's power, size and the platform it will be used on are still not being refined at this time. Existing laser weapons are only capable of shooting down drones and deflecting missiles or mortars.
To build a laser that can destroy tanks a higher power is needed. Main tanks such as the M1A2 and Leopard 2 have thick bodies and ERA systems that are difficult to defeat by current laser systems. But if Australia succeeds, they will be the first country to have a real Prism Tank.
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