Military: Laser weapons: A variety of targets might be neutralized by laser beams, but only if weapons employing them can be utilized with great finesse

Laser weapons will never be weapons of mass destruction. The largest carbon-dioxide laser ever built produces pulses of only 10-kilojoule energy, the muzzle energy of 20 .45-caliber bullets. However, a prolonged sequence of such pulses, properly focused, could damage satellites at 100 kilometers or more. Laser weapons have been described as “ice pick” weapons: they can neutralize a variety of targets but only if wielded with great finesse.