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Boeing's Airborne Laser shot down by the DoD along with another sci-fi weapon
We're never going to get to The Future at this rate. The Department of Defense is cutting two big sci-fi-ish projects in an effort to funnel its resources toward more practical research. Namely, both the Airborne Laser and the Multiple Kill Vehicle are getting scrapped.
Boeing's Airborne Laser, a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser (or COIL), is designed to destroy ballistic missiles before they reach their max velocity. Similarly, MKV missile defense pods were developed to launch a bunch of interceptors all at once. Missile defense technologies aren't being kicked to the curb, however, as the Missile Defense Agency will still enjoy a $9.1 billion with which it can pursue projects such as the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense and the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems.
If you've never seen the Multiple Kill Vehicle in action (or just want to relive the insanity), click through for a video.
By designguy at 10:04 AM ON 05/08/09
DED? I think you mean DOD.
By Noraan at 10:23 AM ON 05/08/09
"Boeing's powerful megawatt chemical Airborne Laser was designed to protect the aircraft from incoming projectiles"
The Boeing laser was intended to destroy enemy ballistic missiles in the boost phase not to protect the aircraft. This is not the strap-on laser for commercial airlines designed to protect from SAMs.
By Kevin Hall at 12:35 PM ON 05/08/09
I did mean DoD - thanks DesignGuy!
And Noraan, I updated the information on the Airborne Laser. Thanks for reading.
By yeah at 8:42 PM ON 05/09/09
DoD?? You mean DOA I think...
By Thwackery at 2:30 AM ON 05/10/09
Just one more thing (next to cutting F22's and F34's) to thank TOTUS for. Here's hoping we never need it.
By rtavi at 9:12 PM ON 05/10/09
The Democrats have been determined that the US will have no missle defense ever since Reagan introduced the idea. They always use the old argument that it might not be 100% effective in a massive nuclear exchange. Thats not the idea. As long as an adversary ca't count on hitting all his targets he can't risk an attack. Terrorist or renegade states cannot put up a massive attack and missle defense gives you at least some capability against crazies with a couple of missles. However, as long as the Dems are in charge no tests will ever satisfy them to the point of deploying a system. When, as is inevitable, some nutcase launches a missle at us the chickens will come home to roost.. Although they will probably then hold themselves blameless and conduct investigations and "show trials" to fix the blame elsewhere.
By Nick at 9:58 AM ON 05/11/09
The Republicans forget that if we have a peaceful existence in the world and if our president doesn't act like a stupid hick then we won't need a massive and expensive defense network to fight all of our self made enemies. Money is better spent at making life better for American's, not for padding the pockets of the Republican manufacturers.
By IsoTek at 11:09 PM ON 05/11/09
Peaceful existance Nick....Like when Russia cut off natural gas and oil to Europe last winter during the coldest time of that year. That was real nice and peaceful wasn't it?. It's naive idiots like you that make stupid politicians bold enough to strip our defenses bare for a paltry show of false peace. It doesn't take a genius to see that there will always be people that take advantage of others inability or desire to be strong and bold in the face of danger. Defending your country and it's citizens with tax dollars and infrastructure is not a money making scheme for any political party, its called doing the right thing per the charter of the United States.
By rooster31 at 1:16 AM ON 05/12/09
Please double check your facts folks.
The ABL program is having it's budget reduced not eliminated.
Defense Secretary Gates wants to maintain the program as an R& D program.
It is all in black and white all over the net.
By clippermiami at 11:50 AM ON 05/17/09
By Nick at 9:58 AM ON 05/11/09
Apparently you are among those who Santayana bemoaned as failing to learn from history. America, and Republican presidents, did not create the urge in the hearts of others to dominate their fellow man, its been going on since we climbed down out of the trees. There is always someone out there who wants what you have or where you live.
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clippermiami:
By Nick at 9:58 AM ON 05/11/09 Apparently you are among those who Santayana bemoaned as failing to learn from hist...More »