Lasers do not work how they work in the movies. For one thing, they don't tend to be of the sort seen in Goldfinger: endless red rays of light that can cut through a steel table (or Sean Connery's genital) like a hot knife through butter (or Sean Connery's genitals). For another, they don't have much application for weapons, despite the endless amounts of plasma rifles and the like you get in every video game. At least, you didn't until 2014, which is the year that the US Navy approved the first combat-ready laser cannon. Yes, a canon. Just like the photon canon every variation on Star Trek's USS Enterprise has been equipped with. Well, not just like, if you fancy delving into the actual science of it, but still. Following a series of successful trials the weapon called LaWS (for Laser Weapon System) has been placed upon the amphibious dock transport vessel USS Ponce, whose slightly crummy name belies the fact that the ship's commander is authorised to use the system as a defensive weapon.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
