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Laser Cannons Coming to an F-16 Near You

dxprog writes "Reuters is reporting that the US Pentagon is designing a laser cannon that's small enough to fit onto a fighter jet yet powerful enough to knock out a missile. "The High Energy Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS), being designed by the Pentagon's central research and development agency, will weigh just 750 kg (1,650 lb) and measures the size of a large fridge." Now all we need to do is make fighter jets space worthy for that true Star Wars feel."

28 of 757 comments (clear)

  1. let's just get this out of the way: by WellAren'tYouJustThe · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will there be friggin sharks on them too?

    1. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 2, Funny

      Will there be friggin sharks on them too?

      Who needs a shark when you've got a veritech?

      Kids today...

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    2. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by HTL2001 · · Score: 4, Funny

      "...will weigh just 750 kg (1,650 lb) and measures the size of a large fridge."

      thats a bit to heavy

      then again... suppose 2 sharks carry it together... (to lazy to check monty python quote)

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    3. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by Jambon · · Score: 2, Funny
      Will there be friggin sharks on them too?

      Yes, the fighters are expected to carry laser guided mutated sharks to attack ships, submarines, and naval bases.

      The technology is based on the theory that large predators are attracted to shiny objects. By shining the laser at the indended target, naval researchers believe that the sharks will simply follow the shiny light until it slams into the intended target, upon which the explosive chum fed to the shark will explode. Also, to aid in the transportation of the shark, the sharks will be put in a state of temporary hibernation. Once dropped, a chip in their brain will awaken them, giving them enough time to contemplate their existence before they hit the water and follow the shiny light....

    4. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by Daetrin · · Score: 2, Funny

      We have both this and the shape changing planes posted on the same day and the first thing you think of is if they have sharks on them? Now if you'd asked if they Transformed into sharks...

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    5. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by UnapprovedThought · · Score: 2, Funny

      General: How'd the flight test go, Colonel?
      Colonel: Well, we got some good news and some bad news, sir.
      General: OK, what are the bad news?
      Colonel: Due to some unexpected turbulence, we missed the target and had a friendly fire incident.
      General: *Curse*
      General: And the good news?
      Colonel: The good news are that your car rental's been upgraded to a convertible without touching the budget.

    6. Re:let's just get this out of the way: by ajnsue · · Score: 2, Funny

      Klatu nik baratu? What they hell you talking about boy fire them missles!

  2. Great... by Seoulstriker · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now they just need to be mounted on those damn sharks.

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  3. Will they make noise in space? by spun · · Score: 4, Funny

    Once we get them into space, will they make roaring, whooshing noises and manuever just like they did in atmosphere? 'Cause otherwise, forget about it.

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    1. Re:Will they make noise in space? by dzfoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      >> Once we get them into space, will they make roaring, whooshing noises

      No, its more like "BWEEOOP!".

              -dZ.

      --
      Carol vs. Ghost
      ...Can you save Christmas?
  4. Nice, by seaniqua · · Score: 4, Funny

    But will it cook a Jiffy Pop container 20' in diameter?

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    1. Re:Nice, by shmlco · · Score: 4, Funny

      Only if you can also come up with a spinning phase-conjugate mirror AND manage to switch the targeting computer's rom.

      --
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  5. Missile defense by robogun · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can see the headline now: Air Force "reflects" on decision to purchase sexy new laser, after a test backfires when attempting to shoot down a mirrored missile...

    & yes, defending against laser is that simple.

    1. Re:Missile defense by Spudley · · Score: 2, Funny

      I can see the headline now: Air Force "reflects" on decision to purchase sexy new laser, after a test backfires when attempting to shoot down a mirrored missile...

      & yes, defending against laser is that simple.


      So how come Queen Amidala's ship had such difficulty getting past the blockade?

      --
      (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  6. SO will they go by fromtheblueline · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pew pew or Brzzap?

  7. A fridge is still a Fridge by JamJam · · Score: 2, Funny

    From TFA:
    The High Energy Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS)...will weigh just 750 kg (1,650 lb) and measures the size of a large fridge... But the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency reckons it has solved the problem by merging liquid and solid state lasers to cut the size and weight by "an order of magnitude,"
    Great, does that mean it'll eventually get to the size of mini-bar fridge?

  8. Re:Forbidden? by Chrontius · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, we're going to see lots of brighly colored targets for optically-guided cruise missiles.

  9. Re:Top Gun by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 5, Funny
    I'm too close for Missles Goose, I'm switching to Lasers!

    I'm too close for lasers, switching to Scientology.

    Hello Mr. Enemy Pilot, may I Audit you?

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  10. measure your fridge from the air? by phil4 · · Score: 5, Funny

    and measures the size of a large fridge. Cool! Lasers have been used for measurement before, but I bet this is the first time the military has been able to measure your fridge in your kitchen from 20,000 feet. The small hole in the kitchen ceiling is a small price to pay for this protection from oversize fridges.

    1. Re:measure your fridge from the air? by hamsterspeed · · Score: 2, Funny

      As has been observed elsewhere, while measuring your fridge the device can simultaneously heat a very large, specially designed jiffy pop enclosure. Versatile!

      --
      pants
  11. Re:Top Gun by Tackhead · · Score: 2, Funny
    > I'm too close for Missles Goose, I'm switching to Lasers!
    > I'm too close for lasers, switching to Scientology.
    > Hello Mr. Enemy Pilot, may I Audit you?

    Maveric: You don't know the history of frickin' lasers on sharks' heads. I do!
    Goose: We regret to inform you that your son is broke because he is stupid.

  12. Re:Power Source? by ShadyG · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's just a wild guess, but maybe you can have one if you also have security clearance, $47 million, and room for a refrigerator in your car.

  13. Re:Forbidden? by MrVelvet · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes one must be fucking living to be blind. Just like telling no tales, the dead don't see shit..

  14. HELLADS by sl4shd0rk · · Score: 3, Funny

    High Energy Laser Area Defense System

    I think Gasseous Optical Nuetral Area Defense System would have been a better name. What do you suppose would instill more fear in the enemy?

    "Run for your life! The HELLADS are coming!" ...or

    "Run for your life! The GONADS are coming!"

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  15. Re:I hope not. Here is why. by Rei · · Score: 4, Funny

    I love your writing style - it reminds me of a Star Wars into crawl.

    Episode IV: A New Lack Of Hope

    It is a period of civil war. Rebel guerrillas, striking from hidden bases, have won their first victory against the PENTAGON. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to America's ultimate weapon, the MISSILE FRIGATE, an armored aircraft with enough power to destroy an entire peaceful wedding party.

    Pursued by the sinister agents of CONGRESS, Princess Raghad Hussein races home aboard her taxi, custodian to the stolen plans that can dominate her people and change type of tyrannical rule in force in the country.

    --
    Are there any deer in the theater tonight? Get 'em up against the wall.
  16. Re:Top Gun by Oligonicella · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I believe in Intelligent Design. It was all done by Benevolent Space Aliens. How else can you explain Tom Cruise?"

    You call that benevolent?

  17. Re:I hope not. Here is why. by rumblin'rabbit · · Score: 4, Funny
    It's bad enough to militarily compete with China, a country where the people outweigh and outnumber Americans ten fold.
    Outnumber definitely. Outweigh never! Americans are the most substantial people on earth, and they've got the jelly rolls to prove it. China simply can't compete in the corpulence compartment, dude.

    By the way, you write like a schizophrenic dope head. Nothing personal. I'm just glad you're in the NRA.

  18. Re:4 out of 5 swinging dicks recommend... by TomSawyer · · Score: 2, Funny
    So what are your qualifications, anyway?

    Dude, he's totally got xxx in front of his name and after. He's a total bad ass and you sir are out matched.

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