Weapons of War Now Include Lightning Guns

An anonymous reader writes "The Washington Post is running a lengthy article today about Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems, an Indiana-based company that says its developed a nonlethal weapon that shoots lightning bolts. This article is an in-depth look at a company that's stirred up some controversy on Slashdot in the past. From the article: 'Lightning guns, heat rays, weapons that can make you hear the voice of God. This is what happens when the war on terror meets the entrepreneurial spirit.'"

Comments

Re:"dazzler" laser

[slavemowgli]

Sure. But then, it's like the USA uphold the Geneva convention, anyway - camp X-ray is full of people who'd be able to tell stories you about that.

But it's not limited to the Geneva convention, actually. Pretty much all international law is ignored by the USA (and, for that matter, other nations as well) whenever it doesn't match their goals. Take, for example, the Kellogg-Briand pact, signed and ratified by (among others) the USA, which went into effect in 1929 and which outlaws war - and then ask how many wars the USA has not only waged but in fact started since then.

International law is a bit like western civilization according to Gandhi - it would be a good idea. But in reality, it's only invoked when there's a propagandistic need to portray your adversaries as villains to the general public so that you can subsequently ignore it yourself.

Re:"dazzler" laser

[JhohannaVH]

I don't watch Fox News, I do read quite extensively, and I am married to a Naval Aviator who has 2 degrees in Poli. Sci. and hold and AS in Computer Science. I know more about the world than most do on this site. Because, well, I live in the real world.

And for all you stupid mother fuckers out there... I'M A WIFE!!!!!!! A MOTHER!!!! A SISTER!!!! A DAUGHTER EVEN!!!! I'm not a stupid bastard, I'm not some stupid fanboi hiding behind a script. I'm a living breathing gorgeous redheads with a body that you can only wish to ever see. Get a frickin' clue! Jesus. Sexist bastards.

I am the daughter of many generations of those that fought for the freedom of this country. Those forefathers spit upon all you who would deride freeing the oppressed and making our world a safer place for ALL! I am a Daughter of the American Revolution, a Daughter of the Confederacy, and a Daughter who would fight for peace and equality in ALL THE WORLD!

And all of you would shut me up because I'm give a shit for the great good and can see three generations down the road. Just look back at the last three, and you'll see what we can do if only we can stay the course.

Jho - PROUD TO BE A GIRL!!!

Re:Aiming accuracy...

[grcumb]

"I wonder how good the accuracy is. If a "bad" guy and a "good" guy are in close combat how do they make sure that the bolt strikes the "bad" guy and is not instead attracted to the metal gun being held by the "good" guy?"

Oh come on, it's simple. Everybody you hit is a bad guy:

• If he's wearing a uniform, he's an enemy soldier and had it coming.
• If he's not wearing a uniform, he's an illegal combatant, and had it coming.
• If the 'illegal combatant' is an elderly woman or a child, then they were giving aid and comfort to the enemy, and had it coming. In extreme cases, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ignored our best efforts to warn them away.
• If it's one of our allies, then they were shot by enemy forces, in spite of our best efforts to assist them.
• If it's one of our own, then they were killed by insurgents, darn them to heck and pass the ammunition.

I know that sounds terribly cynical. I only wish it weren't the case. The terrible truth is that the armed forces feel that they simply can't tell the full truth because the American people would never accept it.

The military does occasionally see beyond the need to feed the military-industrial complex and there are a great many who care about the accuracy and usefulness of the weapons systems they make available, but they're hindered by the fact that they cannot admit to mistakes on the front.

Whether that's a good thing, a necessary thing, or an evil thing is left as an exercise for the reader. I have my own opinion about this, but I'm not going to foist it on others.