HELLADS stands for High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System, That will fit in the back of a flat bed truck

http://www.fastcompany.com/1823017/darpa-hellads-military-drone-laser

I wonder if a slightly smaller model would help with my pigeon problem?

LOL Dave 

Im not sure what to say about this one.

On one hand, congratulations on making a new high power portable laser.

On the other hand, America finds a new way of destroying things.

If only we lived in a perfect world and didn't need to spend time and money on weapons and wars.

My wish, naive? Probably   

That looks fun 

Where would you mount yours to sort your pigeon problem Dave, garden or roof mounted?

While this laser covers air defence, this is the future of artillery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun

And Data, it's a sad fact that as a species we make the most progress during times of war, you only have to look at the huge strides we made during WW2 as a good refernce for this.

Wars call for new technologies, and during these times funding can be found to meet the needs of the military to try to protect those serving at the front...........

The rail gun is a powerful weapon, if they can overcome the rail arcing issue witch destroys the rails.
here is a article with a video, of one of the newest prototypes.
http://www.innovationnewsdaily.com/912-navy-railgun-tests-leading-ship-superweapon-2020.html

I wonder if the laser could be suited for our mosquito problems here in the summertime. I would take two lightweight portable ones that are shoulder mountable   

That's a very cool video, but entirely too short.