Related Sections: Future Tech
Airborne laser to protect us from terrorists, aliens
You know how in the classic piece of cinema Independence Day the alien spacecraft have that sweet laser than can blow up and building beneath it? Such as, most famously, the White House? Well, it looks like the government wants to develop that technology for themselves so they'll be prepared when the aliens actually do arrive.
The "directed energy" weapons system consists of a laser strapped to the nose of a 747, aiming a "megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser beam" either down at the ground or at an airborne missile. The technology is still being developed, and depending on budget issues could be pushed back a few years, but hopefully it'll be all taken care of and a Will-Smith-like hero will emerge before those pesky aliens show up and try to blow up our famous landmarks in a dramatic fashion.
Via Crave
By murcielago05 at 7:15 PM ON 06/25/07
I think this bird was supposed to operational like 3 years ago...but you know ow these things go...
eventhough its way behind schedule ans overbudget...it still must be completed, cause it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this IS the future....If I had one problem with this, it would be that its a chemical laser, instead of solid state...but all in time I guess.
By swc103 at 11:00 AM ON 06/26/07
The 747 version of the laser program uses the last generation chemical laser. The smaller version, with higher power, scheduled to be deployed on F-22's and F-15E fighters is a solid state-chemical combo which uses the spinning jet engines to generate up to 10 MW continuous beams. Operational dates are around 2012. These will be the true "star wars" weapons envisioned in the 1980's.
By swc103 at 11:18 AM ON 06/26/07
Sorry forgot the links :)
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/abl/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,226207,00.html
The link for the 'newest toy' for the F-15, F-22, and F-35 has been pulled by big brother :(
By jack1 at 12:13 PM ON 02/27/09
my planes better
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