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."

Comments

let's just get this out of the way:

[WellAren'tYouJustThe]

Will there be friggin sharks on them too?

Re:let's just get this out of the way:

[HTL2001]

"...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)

Will they make noise in space?

[spun]

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.

Nice,

[seaniqua]

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

Re:Nice,

[shmlco]

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

SO will they go

[fromtheblueline]

Pew pew or Brzzap?

Re:Top Gun

[Nom du Keyboard]

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?

measure your fridge from the air?

[phil4]

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.

Re:Forbidden?

[MrVelvet]

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

HELLADS

[sl4shd0rk]

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!"

Re:I hope not. Here is why.

[Rei]

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.

Re:Top Gun

[Oligonicella]

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

You call that benevolent?

Re:I hope not. Here is why.

[rumblin'rabbit]

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.