Slashdot Mirror
German Laser Destroys Targets More Than 1Km Away
kkleiner writes "A German company has brought us one step closer to the kinds of shootouts only seen in Sci-Fi films. Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Defense recently tested a 50kW, high-energy laser at their proving ground facility in Switzerland. First, the system sliced through a 15mm- (~0.6 inches) thick steel girder from a kilometer away. Then, from a distance of two kilometers, it shot down a handful of drones as they nose-dived toward the surface at 50 meters per second."
What can possibly go wrong...?! :p
"Sum Ergo Cogito"
Sheesh, and you people have the nerve to call yourselves nerds. A quick back of the envelope calculation:
Laser output: 50kW
Average microwave oven: 1kW
Duration of popping: 2 m. 30 sec. = 150 sec.
Therefore, 1 bag of popcorn every 3 seconds.
House volume: 2000 sq ft * 6 ft high = 12000 cu ft
Volume of a bag of popcorn = 0.25 cu ft
Therefore, 144k bags of popcorn would be needed.
(144k bags * 3 sec per bag) / 3600 secs per hour = 120 hours
Hope Val Kilmer isn't in a hurry.
The preferred unit is furlongs/fortnight you insensitive clod!
Sharks.
Upward mobility is a slippery slope - the higher you climb the more you show your ass.
A 6' high ceiling? Where are you living, the Shire?
...Had this been an actual emergency, we would have fled in terror, and you would not have been informed.
Because people in America are stubborn, arrogant, and resistant to change.
I assume you mean 'pew-pew', unless you are, for some reason, particularly relieved at the successful testing of this laser...
Grammar Nazis!
Once I was a four stone apology. Now I am two separate gorillas.