Slashdot Mirror
Dawn of the Airborne Laser
Yonzie writes "As you may have heard, there are a number of competing franchises working on a functional laser weapon. Popular Science has an interesting story about `The Wall of Fire', an airborne laser designed to fit in the belly of a 747. Apparently, this is powerful and precise enough to destroy enemy intercontinental and intermediate-range missiles in mid-flight.
I can imagine the use of laser turrets as protection against missiles, but I really can't see the use of a laser mounted in a 747. IMHO, it's way too slow compared to the missiles, and will not be able to scramble fast enough." This is the big daddy of the JSF laser that we've mentioned before.
Number 2: "*ahem* Dr. Evil, it's about the sharks. When you froze them, they were put on the endangered species list. We tried to get some, but it would have taken months to clear up the red tape."
Dr. Evil: "You know, I have one simple request - and that is, to have sharks with frikkin' laser beams attached to their heads! Now evidently my cycloptic collegue informs me that that can't be done. Can you remind me what I pay you people for? Honestly, throw me a bone here. What do we have?
Number 2: "Sea Bass"
Dr. Evil: "Riiiiiight..."
Number 2: "They are mutated sea bass."
Dr. Evil: "Really? Are they ill-tempered?"
Number 2: "Absolutely."
Dr. Evil: "That's a start."
Man, if I could get one of these mounted on my car it sure would cut down the drive time on my morning commute!
Red light, huh? *ZAP* Not red anymore...
Posting as directed.
Yes, it looks really ingenious and all, but can I pop popcorn with it from a range of three miles? Hilarity would be bound to ensue!
I think we should call the first 747 with a mounted laser off the line "TROGDOR THE BURNINATOR!"
"I can imagine the use of laser turrets as protection against missiles, but I really can't see the use of a laser mounted in a 747. IMHO, it's way too slow compared to the missiles..."
But a stationary turret, now that's FAST compared to the missles, right?
, scanning the horizon for the plumes of rising missiles. Capable of autonomous operation.....
I can see it now in John Carmack's blog:
Attempted our first high altitude launch today. Everything was going fine, but then there was this bright purple flash and the rocket just exploded. Suspect the jumper cables we used to connect the battery to the control computer. More details once we look at the flight data we got.
>> I really can't see the use of a laser mounted in a 747. IMHO, it's way too slow compared to the missiles, and will not be able to scramble fast enough...
You could mount the thing on a Krispy Kreme truck as long as you had line-of-sight to the target. Speed of light is just a tad faster any than missile.
And you don't scramble them. You keep them in the air patrolling.
-- Slashdot: When Public Access TV Says "No"
That you shouldn't look directly into this type of laser either?
All I wanted was a 747 with a friggin laser beam on it's head! Is that too much to ask?
I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.