Laser Weapons and Laser Sights

[jaz0nj4ckal]

I think some laser weapons would have laser sights – especially if the laser weapons was in the UV spectrum. Due to the latter, no visible beam would be seen, so a red, green or blue laser would be needed to aim the weapon or just use scopes or regular iron sights.

I think Ben Bova did something like this in the Asteroid Wars series.

 

[Enoki]

Why would you need a seperate sight? The scope on the weapon could easily include a filter to allow seeing an non-visible light beam. The weapon could also include two settings: One for sighting using a fraction of the power and one for actual fire using full power.
Adding a second laser for sighting would be redundant. The two power version would be like using set triggers on a sniper rifle.

 

[pendragonman]

My thought is that it depends on the tech level of the weapon. At the first tech level of introduction my feeling is that the sight and the weapon would be two different pieces of equipment; while a couple tech levels higher they would be integrated into one unit via a dual trigger setting, one that lights up the target and the second level that actually lases.

 

[Icosahedron]

Useful ideas.
IIRC, after some mental dredging, my original question involved a handgun, shooting 'from the hip' and needing to 'paint' the target with a dot - so outside the remit of an optical scope. I agree with Pendragonman, it would probably depend on TL.

 

[shadowcat20]

I am thinking along the lines of the red dot sights you used to see on paintball guns (I know worthless with the rainbow trajectory of p-balls).

Have a flip up screen with optical (Iron) sights below it. Light pull on the trigger will give you a partial strength beam in the UV or IR range that can be seen on the screen. This will be good for sniper fire or painting a target. Full pull on the trigger gives you a full strength beam. At higher tech have the screen built into the faceplate of a combat helmet.

 

[Chuck Anumia]

Yes

I am thinking along the lines of the red dot sights you used to see on paintball guns (I know worthless with the rainbow trajectory of p-balls).

Have a flip up screen with optical (Iron) sights below it. Light pull on the trigger will give you a partial strength beam in the UV or IR range that can be seen on the screen. This will be good for sniper fire or painting a target. Full pull on the trigger gives you a full strength beam. At higher tech have the screen built into the faceplate of a combat helmet.

This is how it works IMTU