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Pentagon Wants To Test a Space-Based Weapon In 2023 (defenseone.com)
pgmrdlm writes: Defense officials want to test a neutral particle-beam in orbit in fiscal 2023 as part of a ramped-up effort to explore various types of space-based weaponry. They've asked for $304 million in the 2020 budget to develop such beams, more powerful lasers, and other new tech for next-generation missile defense. Such weapons are needed, they say, to counter new missiles from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. But just figuring out what might work is a difficult technical challenge.
So the Pentagon is undertaking two studies. The first is a $15 million exploration of whether satellites outfitted with lasers might be able to disable enemy missiles coming off the launch pad. Defense officials have said previously that these lasers would need to be in the megawatt class. They expect to finish the study within six months. They're also pouring money into a study of space-based neutral particle beams, a different form of directed energy that disrupts missiles with streams of subatomic particles traveling close to light speed -- as opposed to lasers, whose photons travel at light speed.
So the Pentagon is undertaking two studies. The first is a $15 million exploration of whether satellites outfitted with lasers might be able to disable enemy missiles coming off the launch pad. Defense officials have said previously that these lasers would need to be in the megawatt class. They expect to finish the study within six months. They're also pouring money into a study of space-based neutral particle beams, a different form of directed energy that disrupts missiles with streams of subatomic particles traveling close to light speed -- as opposed to lasers, whose photons travel at light speed.
Cant believe that in 21th century there are fucking morons living who see human as at threat. Greatest country for sure.
Lead a race to the bottom.... might want to check your facts:
Polyus space-based megawatt laser anti-missile weapon system launched by Russia in 1987.
Ironically, much of the engineering that went into this Russian weapon system is now an integral part of the International Space Station.
It's not a race to the bottom until someone pulls the trigger.
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
Not sure why this is modded as troll. Even presidents have been warning about the military industrial complex for ages. It's not even a partisan thing. Dislike of the MIC is something you see on both sides of the political spectrum.
SJW n. One who posts facts.