Homing In On Laser Weapons

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Posted by michael on Wednesday October 30, 2002 @01:44AM from the now-all-we-need-is-some-sharks dept.

Bloodmoon1 writes "I just came across this article at GlobalSecurity.org that gives a very good summary of the current status of solid-state lasers as weapons. It gives you a good idea of where the JSF Laser system is at and just how much time, effort, and money has went into this project. Also has some basic, but very sufficent, explanations of some of the science behind the technology."

18 of 512 comments (clear)

Missile by e8johan · 2002-10-30 01:46 · Score: 5, Funny

I still prefer a good old missile! It feels more destructive to fire a rocket at your enemies instead of just flashing (a really *big*) light at 'em. :-)
1. Re:Missile by Anonymous Coward · 2002-10-30 02:33 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Thats unless the know morse and you beam them a goatsx link, even better long range irda-net them it ;-)
2. Re:Missile by DroppedPacket · 2002-10-30 06:29 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Which part of the world wants to live in peace?
  The Muslim "Convert or Die!" world?
  The African "Kill everybody not in our tribe!" world?
  The Environmentalist "Do what we want or we will burn down your house!" world?
  
  --
  I am not a resource! I am a free man!
We`ll have to by MrFredBloggs · 2002-10-30 01:47 · Score: 5, Funny

keep quiet about the whole light and mirrors thing, I guess...
1. Re:We`ll have to by !splut · 2002-10-30 05:55 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Perhaps some sort of sand/concrete which will degrade pleasantly?
  
  Perhaps by playing a Bach concerto and releasing a soothing lavendar fragrance as it melts to form a replica of Rodin's The Thinker.
  
  --
  The angel in the oatmeal.
Get out the Popcorn by Ececheira · 2002-10-30 01:50 · Score: 4, Funny

Anyone ready to blow up a house from too much popcorn? :)
Smoke and mirrors by wiggys · 2002-10-30 01:53 · Score: 2, Funny

I suppose the ideal enemy defence would consist of a mirror which could be adjusted to redirect the laser to a target of choice, along with a decent magnifying glass to add that extra bit of punch!
Fancy a game of real-life Deflektor anyone?

--
Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma.
I can imagine..... by Chardish · 2002-10-30 01:54 · Score: 5, Funny

The warning labels on the outsides of laser weapons:

CAUTION: DO NOT STARE DIRECTLY INTO LENS

-Evan
1. Re:I can imagine..... by markom · 2002-10-30 02:02 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Yes, yes, "this side facing enemy" sign should be there, too.
2. Re:I can imagine..... by CPIMatt · 2002-10-30 02:08 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  No, no. You have to add 'WITH REMAINING EYE'. If you want to do the joke, do it right.
  
  -Matt
Soon (wrings hands) by velcrokitty · 2002-10-30 02:00 · Score: 5, Funny

I'll be able to walk into a store and ask for: "Phased plasma rifle in 40-watt range. "
Excellent... Oh wait. 40-watts isn't very much. Is that what the Terminator really asked for? 40 watts? Sheesh. I could just hook up a light bulb and start shining bright lights in people's eyes. Perhaps the idea is to convince them to stare into the bulb for hours on end (like several of my classes that I attended) and eventually go blind-ish...
I will be back...

--
I stick to walls...
Nice use of our tax dollars by bazzert · 2002-10-30 02:06 · Score: 1, Funny

"$4.5 billion" of our hard earned tax dollars so over grown schoolboys can play with their toys ... great ...
Re:Is it just me... by BabyDave · 2002-10-30 02:07 · Score: 5, Funny

I was scared from the moment I read
Donald Rumsfeld "is hot"
Re:Mirrors by briggsb · 2002-10-30 02:11 · Score: 5, Funny

"We have a visual on the missile...er...wait...we're being attacked by a flaming disco ball!"
Asteroids! by Chibi+Merrow · 2002-10-30 02:28 · Score: 2, Funny

Hey... Then we could use the laser to heat up one side of the asteroid... and make it land on our enemies! GENIUS! :D

--
Maxim: People cannot follow directions.
Increases in truth directly with the length of time spent explaining them
Re:Is it just me... by BurritoWarrior · 2002-10-30 04:06 · Score: 3, Funny

Don't forget how much damage the Taliban did with their M1-A1 tanks, Stealth Fighters, Cruise Missiles, smart bombs and Aegis cruisers.

Yep, technological superiority on the battlefield is moot.
Re:Mirrors by mikerich · 2002-10-30 04:58 · Score: 3, Funny

Smudges, scratches, contaminants would be unavoidable since we're talking about weapons that are meant for remote deployment to harsh environments.
Remember this is military spending here, normal sensible economics no longer apply. Remember the special air-conditioned hangers for Stealth aircraft?
A lot of incidental damage could be prevented by shipping any weapons in a protective sheath that could be removed when the weapon is either ready to fire or installed on the plane. Doesn't the cruise missile already come in a sealed cannister?
But if anyone is interested I'm planning on putting a bid in to develop nanotechnology mirrors. I've no idea how they would work, or if they're even possible, but they sound really cool. Going on yesterday's story about nanotechnology, I have about as much of a clue as real military researchers.
I think I'm up to squandering a couple of billion USD before unveiling a can of silver spray paint.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re:Mirrors by prator · 2002-10-30 08:12 · Score: 2, Funny

Which means you now have 20-30 targets to destroy in 30 seconds instead of 1 target in 10 seconds. Fun!

I think this is one of the new mini-games in Mario Party 4.

-prator