BBB Geeky Novelty

A new patent granted to Lockheed Martin seeks to combine multiple lasers into a single, higher-power beam, which would, in theory, help achieve the power output needed for laser weapons. The patent outlines a method to "combine multiple laser beams into a single coherent beam without requiring insertion of optical elements into the laser beam."

Northrop Grumman has also taken the beam combining approach to achieve higher powers on solid state lasers. Lockheed's method of beam combining could be used for any number of lasers, according to the patent.