Israel, US to fund laser that shoots down rockets

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 28 October 2003 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[katana]

Once again, Reagan is proven right and a couple decades ahead of his time. This would probably already be operational and fielded if not for eight years of a democrat administration (or twelve years if you count how squeamish Bush I was about pushing Star Wars research - at least that was my impression at the time).

[Centurion2000]

It's interesting ... like World War 2 left to some pretty signifcant tech innovations I think that the US, Japan and other nations like Israel may be on the cusp of leaping ahead by another generation.

The trick will be to stop the chinese from copying and stealing our work.

[Frank_Discussion]

"The laser has also proved its ability to shoot down artillery shells."

Oh? That's impressive. What does it do, melt/vaporize them out of the sky? Yow.

[Eala]

It only has to make them explode.

[Constitutional Patriot]

If it can shoot down rockets, then it can probably shoot down planes.

Imagine the effectiveness of an air defense system that shoots down enemy planes by tracking them with a laser!??!!?

It would be wise to protect this technology from anyone who can be describde as "progresive". They are likely to give it to our enemies just to "level the playing field".

[Eala]

OTOH, that was pretty poorly worded...

[Carry_Okie]

It would seem to me to be cheaper to mirror the surfaces of the rockets.

[Frank_Discussion]

But still impressive.

[anotherview]

Sadly, no, I have no links. I read the article in The Jerusalem Post online edition, found it interesting, and posted it. I have not had time to do independent research.

[Michael Barnes]

Israelis with friggen lasers

[Eala]

But still impressive.

Agreed. To put that much energy onto a rather small object, and keep it tracking for as long as needed... OTOH, I seem to recall they were playing with some pretty powerful chemical lasers back in the 80s.

[OXENinFLA]

http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/factsheets/abl.html

[LenS]

I recall hearing about this before but I forget the details. Perhaps the laser's energy triggers the explosive?

[michigander]

Tactical High Energy Laser / Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser

[elfman2]

"It only has to make them explode."

Or not explode.

[RightWhale]

What does it do

It burns away part so the shell becomes aerodynamically unstable and tumbles

[Frank_Discussion]

The link in post #16 says it makes the shells explode in flight. The tumbling might be that violent, but I suspect not.

[Ribeye]

Does this mean the project to perfect X-Ray Specs is on the back burner?