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U.S. Air Force Developing Microwave Weapon

Posted by Hemos on from the fry-the-machine dept.

Makarand writes "A weapon that uses an intense microwave pulse to fry electronics in computers and communication systems is being developed by the US Air Force according to this BBC News article. This weapon is totally harmless to people and could be used in situations where hitting targets could result in civilian casualties. This weapon could be carried by an unmanned drone or a cruise missile." EMP weapons have, in general, been under discussion and research for a very long time.

6 of 655 comments (clear)

  1. Advantage.. by Chicane-UK · · Score: 3, Funny

    At least when the army are out on maneuvers, they can cook up their own rations with it :)

    --
    "Hey! Unless this is a nude love-in, get the hell off my property!!"
    1. Re:Advantage.. by le_jfs · · Score: 5, Funny

      Someday we'll be able to use such devices to fry the RFID tags in our tires.

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      main(char O){O++&&(((O-291)*O+27788)*O-868020?1:putchar(O++) )&&main(O);}
  2. Re:Coldbringer? by assaultriflesforfree · · Score: 4, Funny

    Righto. My guess is that, if this thing ever comes to be reality, they'll start using it on the military targets and save the bombs for the hospitals, schools, trains, and Fox.

  3. oooh, scary by new+death+barbie · · Score: 4, Funny
    Imagine the damage this weapon could inflict on the enemy when all of their popcorn pops at once.

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    1. Re:oooh, scary by sczimme · · Score: 4, Funny

      Imagine the damage this weapon could inflict on the enemy when all of their popcorn pops at once.

      Well, if that 80s vintage documentary showed me anything, it's that...

      the house will rapidly fill up with popcorn

      the windows will break outward, followed by popped corn pouring out of said windows

      the front door will burst open in slow motion, and one of the more annoying antagonists will be engulfed in a mass of kernels as he is propelled down the front steps

      eventually part of the foundation will collapse, and the house will list about 15 degrees to port

      local townsfolk will rejoice in the corny goodness (also in slow motion)

      Terrifying stuff, that is.

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  4. Early reports ... by smallfries · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... indicate that the chinese have already been experimenting with defenses against microwave weapons. So far the most reliable is a metal spoon ...

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