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Warships May Get Lasers For Close-In Defense
King Louie writes "Raytheon and the US Navy have successfully tested a ship-borne laser capable of shooting down aircraft. Video at the link shows the 32-kilowatt solid-state laser shooting down an unmanned aerial vehicle. The technology is apparently mature enough to be deployed as part of ships' short-range missile defenses, a role currently filled by the Basic Point Defense Missile System (based on the Sea Sparrow missile) and the Close-In Weapons System (based on a 20mm Gatling gun)."
So - we should just give the money to the people without jobs?
These kind of projects also employ people (such as the people at Raytheon working on it), giving them healthcare benefits, which in turn they then get taxed on as well.
"What you do is stand off 20 miles and shoot a missile at the ship.
So an anti-plane laser is not all that useful. And what if it's a cloudy day?"
No chance the Navy envisioned those conditions as a possibility, nope, none. Falkland Islands, where are they?
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
How many times in the past fifty years has the US navy been threatened by missile or aircraft attacks? And besides Pearl Harbor, have they ever been attacked when they aren't milling around in international waters near sworn enemies?
The weapon is designed not for protecting American soil, but for making it so it's easier to deploy those ships for military action for "American interests."
Why is this rated insightful? Isn't there a single person with mod points who actually understands how lasers work???
No, mirrors don't defeat lasers. At best they'll temporarily reduce the effectiveness of the laser, until they melt, and then you're screwed anyway. It's like a wannabe-firefighter covering himself in water-balloons and running into a burning building - ineffective, but mildly amusing.
ahahah.. 'the guts and sense of honor'
Most of the governments and NGO's around the world that the US strangles for resources are not capable of this normal nation to nation warfare and fighting the US military head on makes about as much sense as regimental soldiers standing around waiting for the order to shoot, while getting shot.
mediocrity rules, man
You really do live in a universe disconnected from reality don't you?
Because that, like your question, would be incredibly stupid, shortsighted, and entirely besides the point.
Amazing. Now if only you'd realize that you just stated exactly what I was implying.
But we're not broke
There was some doubt about this? WTF? Let me guess - you're one of those geniuses who likes to speak for "the sheeple". Everyone around you is too stupid to see the truth, so you have to educate them. Even though nobody seems to be espousing those beliefs in the first place.
Don't be a dope, Wyatt. "DC v Heller" doesn't mean military weapons will never be claimed as protected any more than Roe v Wade means there will never be laws banning abortion.
It just means another few judges like Scalia and Thomas have to be appointed.
You are welcome on my lawn.