The Feasibility of Star Wars Tech

pwnage writes "Forbes Magazine, not usually the the web's premiere source of all things geekish, has posted an interesting summary of Star Wars technology and its scientific feasibility. As a bonus, they also include a great set of Star Flops, including the infamous Jedi Arena Atari 2600 video 'game.'"

Comments

Re:Regarding Lightsabers

[FinalCut]

I was in the US Army for most of the 1990s and served in both Combat Arms and Air Defense and was never issued a Knife.

I was issued a bayonet - but then that was very rare. I can think of two times.

1. Basic Training
2. Another Training Exercise

Some moron lost his Bayonet during the training exercise and there was all hell to pay for the whole unit because it was lost. That sucked.

In Desert Storm - no knife, no bayonet. Same with Desert Shield :O)

The entrenching tool - a small shovel that has a handle and blade that can pivot into various angular configurations - is issued to every soldier regardless of MOS (at least all enlisted soliders) and it can be an effective weapon.

In a combat scenario you never know when you'll need more than a bullet. Ammo can run out - your entrenching tool is always there. Granted, it wouldn't be my first choice, but if I found myself in a hand-to-hand encounter I'd rather have its vicously pointed and serated edge than just my bare hands.