U.S. 'Star Wars' laser plane successfully shoots down ballistic missile for first time

Mail Foreign Service ^ | 12:09 PM on 13th February 2010 | Mail Foreign Service

[cbkaty]

The U.S. have successfully taken out a ballistic missile with a high-powered laser beam mounted to a plane, it revealed yesterday.

The U.S. Missile Defence Agency (MDA) announced the feat after the test overnight on Thursday in central California. The plane uses lasers to lock onto the missile and follow its trajectory and then brings it down with a single shot from its nose - all in a matter of seconds.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Blame the previous administration.

[shibumi]

[CIB-173RDABN]

This is one of those stories that is aimed for readers outside of this country. Are you listening North Korea? How about you China? Hey Iran, your new toy may not get the results you expect.

Does it really work? Maybe, maybe not, but if you were thinking of lobbing a first strike at the US (or a US ally) are you prepared to gamble that your missile is not taken out only to be followed by an attack you can not defend against?

This strengthens the hand of the United States President. Too bad the current President is too weak to see it that way.

[teeman8r]

i believe it was the pbs series... the man who saw tomorrow... that told of a battle over new york of missiles falling from the sky and a battle of lasers defending the city...

eerily accurate quatraine or mere coincidence?

teeman

[cbkaty]

.....22 December 1964.....Our first glimpse...46 years ago....

[homegroan]

I heart technology...

(when it works)

[Wage Slave]

What happens if the missile is carrying a nuclear warhead? Nothing?

[muawiyah]

What happens? Well, it gets converted to the fundamental elements making up its components. For the most part that’s going to be water and aluminum, and a chunk of uranium used for the trigger.

[ETL]

From the campaign trail, February 2008...

Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense.

The full text from the video, as released, reads as follows:

Thanks so much for the Caucus4Priorities, for the great work you've been doing. As president, I will end misguided defense policies and stand with Caucus4Priorities in fighting special interests in Washington.

First, I'll stop spending $9 billion a month in Iraq. I'm the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as president I will end it.[i.e. not win it]

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.

I will not weaponize space.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.

And I will institute an independent "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.

Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons; I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material; and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert [they are NOT on "hair-trigger alert" now -etl], and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.

You know where I stand. I've fought for open, ethical and accountable government my entire public life. I don't switch positions or make promises that can't be kept. I don't posture on defense policy and I don't take money from federal lobbyists for powerful defense contractors. As president, my sole priority for defense spending will be protecting the American people. Thanks so much.

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

"MissileThreat.com is a project of The Claremont Institute devoted to understanding and promoting the requirements for the strategic defense of the United States."
_____________________________________________________

"I will not weaponize space"

"I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems"

2008 Pentagon Report (March 2008):
China's Growing Military Space Power
By Leonard David
Special Correspondent, SPACE.com
March 6, 2008

GOLDEN, Colorado — A just-released Pentagon report spotlights a growing U.S. military concern that China is developing a multi- dimensional program to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its potential adversaries during times of crisis or conflict.

Furthermore, last year's successful test by China of a direct-ascent, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon to destroy its own defunct weather satellite, the report adds, underscores that country's expansion from the land, air, and sea dimensions of the traditional battlefield into the space and cyber-space domains.

Although China's commercial space program has utility for non- military research, that capability demonstrates space launch and control know-how that have direct military application. Even the Chang'e 1 — the Chinese lunar probe now circling the Moon — is flagged in the report as showcasing China's ability "to conduct complicated space maneuvers — a capability which has broad implications for military counterspace operations."

To read the entire publication [29.67MB/pdf], see U.S. Dept of Defense:
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/China_Military_Report_08.pdf
_____________________________________________________

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html

[Wage Slave]

Thanks. :)

[Brouhaha]

Yet another vindication of Reagan’s vision.

Now, can we please stop this absurd socialist experiment and turn our attention back to serious matters?

This country needs another Reagan... desperately.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

“What happens if the missile is carrying a nuclear warhead? Nothing?”

It might be dangerous to blow it up over the ocean? it might go off, or at least drop radioactive material into the sea? Perhaps it would be safer to let it reach the intended destination??

A nuclear bomb going off is not the end of the world. They used to teach duck and cover because it was a sound defensive measure, because most deaths were caused by flying glass & etc. The left taught us that a nuclear bomb means the end of the world, so they joke about duck & cover. http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51648

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Reagan’s fault!

[Wage Slave]

It was just a question. Someone with manners already answered it for me. Thanks anyway.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Just because it wasn’t the answer you were looking for, doesn’t mean it was delivered badly.

The previous answer was a little optimistic. That’s the best case.

[Wage Slave]

You have no idea what answer I was looking for, bigshot. I don’t have time for rude people, so take a hike.

[GBA]

Nice to see that our military has a response to Iran’s announcement even though our dear leader does not.

[omega4179]

Nothing. A nuke only goes off the right way or not at all.