# Anti-Aircraft Lasers The Laser Close-In Weapon System Shoots Planes with Death Rays By Meghan Young | Published 2010-07-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-close-in-weapon-system References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2010/07/laser-cannon-th.php) & [fastcompany](http://www.fastcompany.com/1671612/anti-aircraft-laser-unveiled-code-named-death-ray-theon) Brace yourselves for a brave new world with the Laser Close-In Weapon System. This death ray canon is similar to something straight out of 'Star Wars.' Created to [shoot down planes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsing-ca1-europa), it was ironically unveiled at an airshow in England. Developed by American defense firm [Raytheon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electrooptical-intelligentsensing-systems), the Laser Close-In Weapon System is not a new concept. Back in the 1950s, scientists envisioned a future of [high-tech laser weapons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-rangefinders). However, it took many years of elaborate advancement for these ideas to take off. Presently, this Laser Close-In Weapon System is a great example of one of those designs. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Laser Weapons:** The development of laser weapons, like the Laser Close-In Weapon System, presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the defense industry. - **Advanced Defense Systems:** Advancements in defense technology, such as the Laser Close-In Weapon System, have the potential to disrupt traditional warfare strategies. - **Future of Air Defense:** The implementation of anti-aircraft lasers, like the Laser Close-In Weapon System, indicates a shift towards more advanced and efficient air defense systems. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Defense:** The defense industry can benefit from the disruptive innovation opportunities presented by the development of laser weapons. - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry may be impacted by advancements in air defense technology, such as the Laser Close-In Weapon System. - **Military:** The military sector can explore the potential disruptive innovation opportunities offered by the use of laser weapons for air defense purposes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Laser-Powered Mosquito Zappers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photon-matrix.md) - [Missile-Fooling Aircraft Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antiradar-system.md) - [Futuristic Missile Interceptors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missile-interceptor.md) - [Electro-Optical Intelligent-Sensing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electrooptical-intelligentsensing-systems.md) - [Power-Beaming Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system.md) - [Tiny Animated Laser Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laserabc-laser-show-projector.md) - [Futuristic Electronic Attack Aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/attack-aircraft.md) - [Digital Laser-Powered Blaster Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-tag-set.md) - [Long-Range Laser Flashlights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumitwin-dl700.md)