NationStates Jolt Archive

It slices. It dices. It makes julienne fries.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080813a_nr.html

Now the full power laser has begun testing on the Advanced Tactical Laser.

Nowadays meant for insurgents, but the pictures they show are meant to be Russians.

Mounted on the C-130, then later on the V-22, and then on the F-35 strike fighter.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/atl_track4_2.jpg

According to the developers, the accuracy of this weapon is little short of supernatural. They claim that the pinpoint precision can make it lethal or non-lethal at will. For example, they say it can either destroy a vehicle completely, or just damage the tires to immobilize it. The picture above shows a theoretical 26-second engagement in which the beam deftly destroys "32 tires, 11 Antennae, 3 Missile Launchers, 11 EO devices, 4 Mortars, 5 Machine Guns" -- while avoiding harming a truckload of refugees and the soldiers guarding them.

And from a recent request to have this immediately deployed to Iraq:

http://blog.wired.com/defense/files/PASDEW.pdf

Precision engagement of a PID [Positively Identified] insurgent by a DEW [Directed Energy Weapon] will be a highly surgical and impressively violent event. Target effects will include instantaneous burst-combustion of insurgent clothing, a rapid death through violent trauma, and more probably a morbid combination of both. It is estimated that the aftermath of a sub-second engagement by PASDEW [Precision Airborne Standoff Directed Energy Weapon] will also be an observable event leaving an impression of terrifyingly precise CF [Coalition Force] attribution in the minds of all witnesses.

How long before its mounted on a satellite and moved over Georgia?

How long before its mounted on a satellite and moved over Georgia?

Not soon enough.

Wow! That would come in handy on mass-barbecue days like Memorial Day, The Fourth of July and Independence Day. Just fly around roasting and slicing pigs and steaks in seconds!

Wow! That would come in handy on mass-barbecue days like Memorial Day, The Fourth of July and Independence Day. Just fly around roasting and slicing pigs and steaks in seconds!

I could hold up a bowl of popcorn...

1) I do not trust directed energy lasers especially after the fiasco of the anti-missile system

2) gosh that military (I only scanned it though) document is terrible

3) *counts down how long it will take for this weapon to cock up and either kill the user or everything in sight*

4) I really don't see how this will be useful in coin ops myself :confused:

Wow! That would come in handy on mass-barbecue days like Memorial Day, The Fourth of July and Independence Day. Just fly around roasting and slicing pigs and steaks in seconds!

I was thinking more of removing tattoos/correcting sight of unsuspecting victims

Wow! That would come in handy on mass-barbecue days like Memorial Day, The Fourth of July and Independence Day. Just fly around roasting and slicing pigs and steaks in seconds!

Is it really a good idea to cook things from up high on Independence Day? People might get silly notions of space invaders.

I'd say the Brits and Canadians are shitting themselves.....

Is it really a good idea to cook things from up high on Independence Day? People might get silly notions of space invaders.

Even better.

But I was picturing some sort of schedule. I imagine families waiting in the back yard until... ZAP!! "Ribs are done!" "YAY!!!"

How long before its mounted on a satellite and moved over Georgia?

Aimed at Savannah? Or Tbilisi?

I'd say the Brits and Canadians are shitting themselves.....

Why?

As for this 'super weapon'
In the most recent edition of Popular Science (the April 2008 issue), there is an article showcasing a new combat laser, the Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Beam, which will be carried in a large aircraft (it is shown carried in a C-130) and fired at large targets (vehicles or buildings.) It is currently being tested at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. The laser itself is a chemical laser, and weighs 40,000 pounds. The range is reported to be 5 miles, and it can rapidly strike targets (it uses rapid-fire rather than a continuous beam to minimize the risk of friendly fire.) However, the prototype cost $200 million, making it doubtful that this will be put to widespread use. Barring the cost, it is expected to be in battle within five years. There is also talk of development of smaller versions to fit in smaller vehicles.

Lasers as weapons has always been a bit of a flawed dream, they're too heavy, to expensive, and often times easily defeated by, say, dust.