[Paul Ross]

Time to end the obstructions at the Pentagon and White House Budget Office to serious deployment.

Either fight to deploy...or get out of the way!!!

[justa-hairyape]

You cannot beat the speed of light !

Is that laser beam actually as wide as that mirror ?

[SampleMan]

Meet the future of CIWS. This is why I believe little additional money has been put into Phalanx. Mach 3 ASCMs require a more immediate response.

[langleyaction]

Just for perspective, the whole concept of directed energy, indeed all historical and contemporary weaponry, is to take energy from a source, launch and deliver it accurately, then obliterate the crap outta the target in a paroxysm of 1/2 mv^2 (or heat) violence. Controlled energy launch here...to uncontrolled energy arrival there.
There is another kind of weapon that is spiritual and is unknown by national armies. This is another kind of violence and delivers another kind of energy.
I agree with the post. The Middle East might be a good place to test and improve such a weapon.

[Tom Bombadil]

I wonder how good it is at swatting houseflies. I could use a new swatter.

[norwaypinesavage]

I strongly support the development of directed energy weapons, but this article glosses over the difficulties in deploying the THEL. It is a chemically powered device, that requires large quantities of highly toxic chemicals for operation. These must be delivered to the site, used safely, and the residue safely removed. It is currently not feasible to deploy these devices into remote sites, or even to populated sites.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Nip]

While directed energy weapons might solve many issues it can never be the technological cure all its supporters claim it to be.

Always remember the final battlefield and the only one that counts is in the human mind. “Winning hearts and minds”, to quote a saying from Vietnam, is the real key to understanding World War IV.

For those who are trying to stand on the sidelines (they just want rice in their rice bowls) you try to win their hearts. Get them to understand it is in their best interest to support.

For those who are carrying a gun and are killing your troops (they are true believers of the cause) you try to win their minds. Get them to understand that their individual survival means giving up the true belief. You do this by killing them every chance you get. The survivors, their leadership, will get the message and either stop trying to kill you (a truce), convert (peace) or get exterminated (peace).

Unfortunately this has been the history of armed conflict. And man has not evolved sufficiently to change this harsh reality.

[RichInOC]

Defanging Hezbollah: A Directed Energy Defense Could Help

MOVE 'ZOT'. FOR GREAT JUSTICE.

[Zman]

I'd like a mini-version for my key chain to eliminate booming car stereos while I'm stuck in traffic.

[fso301]

What in fact may be happening in LEbanon is that China and Russia are trying to get their regional proxies Iran and Syria to do something to cause Israel to show her anti-missle cards. For that reason, Israel chooses to absorb the blows.

[SW6906]

I like the sound wave weapons that cause instant loss of bowel control. Let's see those deployed against the muzzies!!

[GSlob]

And who or what would prevent the excremists from polishing their rockets to mirror finish to deflect away most of the laser energy? It is very cheap, too, in comparison with THEL. With shells and mortars it is more tricky as powder gases leave their residue.

[Night Hides Not]

Klaatu mirada niktu

Gort will take care of the Hezbollah!