Energy vs Ballistic

[Kensai7]

Thats not how it works. Every laser has to be focused as, at least with our technology and understanding, it is impossible to project completely parallel beams of light. And compared to the infinite range of ballistics, the distance in which lasers can still be focused is rather low.

Good, but next time post your source as well.

Anyway, for practical reasons and aims, laser light are parallel beams. Now if we are talking about huge distances, that might change, but then we should reconsider the targeting systems of the supposed ships and everything else. The reason I insist on this "parallel beams" is to make sure everyone understands that you could, but you don't have to, focus them as if they were flashlights in order to get an acceptable result.

 

[Veracin]

Don't forget that there are more energy weapons than just lasers. Cloud-lightning and lances. Plus plasma throwers are energy-based projectiles.

 

[BrokenSky]

Plus with ballistic and projectile weapons, you can shoot at a target, but then have to wait for the missiles (say) to hit them. At long range, you will be firing off a load of missiles that will never hit the target because by the time they get there the target will already be dead. This is a greater problem at long range and against smaller ships. Lasers on the other hand have far less time/ammo wastage.

 

[thichietah]

Thats not how it works. Every laser has to be focused as, at least with our technology and understanding, it is impossible to project completely parallel beams of light. And compared to the infinite range of ballistics, the distance in which lasers can still be focused is rather low.

Lasers don't have to be focussed. The photons are already emitted parallel. Many people think laserbeams are made by focussing light with lenses, but in fact lasers are special lightsources using quatuumeffects to make parallel lightbeams WITHOUT lenses.

 

[Haldan]

In this thread: Self proclaimed subject matter experts in high energy laser physics.

In my expert opinion, I am right and you are gay.

 

[Summin Cool]

Wait, are we talking about monochromatic or chromatic lasers?

 

[Hanekem]

I would hazard a guess it is

Kinetics travel slow relative to the speed of light so they have a short effective range beyond which whilst they have are easy to dodge as their course can be predicted even if they have functionally the same kinetic energy

Laser and other Beams Travel at the speed of light so have a longer effective range

Plasma based weapons, on the tin, say the lose containment with range
"These new accelerators launch projectiles of high-energy plasma with improved containment fields. This results in less energy leakage as the projectile travels in space towards its target."

Missiles are self propelled and have on-board guidance, so have the longest effective range as they can adjust for manoeuvres of the target ship

The best of both worlds is a nuke pumped laser, you have the autonomous nature of a missile, and the longer range of a beam weapon, delivering the payload beyond the range of a point defense system