DARPA Developing Defensive Plasma Shield

galactic_grub writes "According to an article at New Scientist, DARPA is developing a plasma shield that would allow troops to stun and disorientate enemies. The system will use a technology known as dynamic pulse detonation (DPD), which involves producing a ball of plasma with an intense laser pulse, and then a supersonic shockwave within the plasma using another pulse. The result is a gigantic flash and a loud bang in a the air. 'The company has also pitched a portable laser rifle, which would be lethal, to the US Army. It would weigh about fifteen kilograms, would have a range of more than a mile, and could have numerous advantages over existing rifles - better accuracy and the ability to hit a moving target at the speed of light.'"

Comments

"Money well spent"

[The Media Mechanic]

<sarcasm>

This is great news. Now our Homeland is safer than ever from diaper headed terrorists and other warmongering evil-doers who want to topple our peaceful and humble nation.

Just think of the possible new and exciting ways to kill people with these devices!

</sarcasm>

If we spent even one tenth of what we spend on building new weapons, instead on diplomacy and peace initiatives, and curing world diseases and poverty, maybe so many people wouldn't want to attack and kill us in the first place.