Posted on 01/21/2011 6:27:58 AM PST by Lazamataz
The Navy has passed a major milestone in its quest to build an incredibly powerful new anti-aircraft gun.
Scientists with the Navy's Office of Naval Research have demonstrated a prototype system capable of producing from thin air the electrons needed to generate ultrapowerful, "megawatt-class" laser beams for the agency's next-generation system.
(snip)
Navy ships have become vulnerable in modern times to supersonic missiles because of their slower defense systems, the agency worries. "The FEL is expected to provide future U.S. Naval forces with a near-instantaneous laser ship defense in any maritime environment throughout the world, Saulter said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Great Idea. I’ll take two. How much?
Wrong, they have been working on both. And also a rail gun.
As also a retired zoomie I can say not to worry. The AF is doing fine in advancing HEL technology.
I wonder if shipboard power is required to turn the FEL into a megawatt-class weapon and unneeded for use as a 100 kilowatt weapon. Is that enough to disable enemy fighters/incoming missiles? Could the F-35 be up-amped to power a kilowatt-class FEL?
They have several, check discovery tv, probably have a down loadable vid of them test fired.
Power. That is the sticky wicket.
The Navy has been funding research into a new type of fusion generator which uses static fields to contain the plasma reaction. The configuration is simple, requires very little space (compared to, say, a tokamak), and generates prodigious power. Fusion powered cruisers armed with railguns and FEL CIWS would be formidable platforms.
It would be interesting if the size of the “whiffle ball” reactor could allow it be utilized on an aircraft. Seems the AF wanted to build a nuclear-powered bomber years ago...
Looks like a CO2 system at the AF
or Killer Sea Bass
Are they Ill Tempered?
Easier to solve on a large ship than on an airplane, though.
They mostly use fusion bomb-pumped X-ray lasers.
Not something you’d want to mount on a surface ship! You’d only ever get one shot.
wasn’t that a Santa Cruz garage band?
I suspect that weaponized “thin air” will be the next item to suffer from unilateral sanctions.
HU’s on first.
got html skills?
cat lazer zot
http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/pp77/coiledspring/?action=view¤t=catzot.gif&newest=1
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