Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-27144409-20160125035940/@comment-27144409-20161124235950

The only reason I thought they might have had Dust beams is because of the very advanced weaponry we saw in WOR, which they appeared to have by the time Mantle starts to invade Vaccuo for their resources., which I believe predates the Great war. Also, if they have reached a point where they can miniaturize beam weapons to fit inside swords, yet deliver enough focused output that they can shred  bullheads, then they have been in development for some time.

As for real world beam weapons, we've developed lasers that can shoot down artillery shells, mortars, rockets, and missiles, boefore 05! We've also put a laser on a warship for defense against drones and small, fast boats. For now lasers aren't viable offensive weapons, but give it a few decades and a war.