The new and improved gunship

Daily Tech ^ | 13 December 2007 | Brandon Hill

[Red6]

Boeing progresses forward with the development of its airborne laser program

Boeing is working on a devastating new weapon which could strike fear into the eyes of all American enemies. The company is progressing at a rapid pace on its 12,000-pound airborne laser.

The Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) was installed into a C-130H gunship and Boeing is on track to begin in-flight tests of the weapon next year. Ground targets will be neutralized via the ATL which is incorporated into a rotating turret on the C-130H's belly.

The ATL is seen as a precise, high-power weapon that will result in less civilian causalities on the battlefield. Due to the nature of the laser being used, targets can be destroyed or disabled with extremely low levels of collateral damage. Boeing claims that the ATL is thus capable of being used on traditional battlefields or in more treacherous urban fighting.

[Red6]

My only question is-

"Does it have a slow roast power setting?"

[taxcontrol]

Anyone know the power range of this light box?

[stm]

Set lasers to evaporate......

[jiggyboy]

The San Jose Redevelopment Agency has put in an order for one of these for dealing with those pesky eminent domain nuts.

[LIConFem]

Can the phaser be far behind?

[RightWhale]

Anyone know the power range of this light box?

Earlier threads had some of that info.

[SIDENET]

That beeber is HUGH.

[Durus]

They are suggesting 20 miles.

[Delta 21]

My Advanced Tactical "Laser"

[Sax]

Next step - throw lighter more powerful version onto a satellite and some pencil pusher with a trac-ball can punch your ticket while he munches on a cruller with a cup o’ joe.

[Joiseydude]

1 megawatt

[r9etb]

How well does it operate in/through smoke, dust, rain, or clouds?

[MacDorcha]

Why would it have to be lighter?

[MacDorcha]

1 Jiggawatt you say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfODSPIYwpQ

[taxcontrol]

20 miles seems like a good range for close in missile defense. If this proves viable, I wonder how long before we see it deployed in other forms?

aboard ship for fleet protection?

on a tracked vehicle for brigade level or Army level protection against rockets / aircraft / artillery / mortars?

Boost the power / range by four or five times and you can deploy on a low orbit platform.

Interesting times in weapons development

[Joiseydude]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/atl.htm

[2harddrive]

How long before the BATF uses this weapon against American gun owners? Maybe starting with innocent collectors of Curios and Relics? It is time to put the 2nd Amendment FIRST.

[darkwing104]

Man this would be a cool light show when they fly over the range at night...

[Red Badger]

Depending on the wavelength being used, It might be invisible........

[Dan Middleton]

"How long before the BATF uses this weapon against American gun owners? Maybe starting with innocent collectors of Curios and Relics? It is time to put the 2nd Amendment FIRST."

Wait...

WHAT???