Posted on 01/23/2011 11:42:31 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
A Navy crew might only have seconds to react to an incoming missile before it rips a hole into a ship.
Existing anti-missile systems include rapid-fire guns designed to shoot down missiles at close range.
But a reliable laser weapon could do the same job with higher precision, speed-of-light engagement and without running out of ammunition.
It's an idea that's been in development at the U.S. Office of Naval Research since the 1980s. The goal is to create a megawatt, or 1 million-watt, laser weapon.
Last month, scientists at the Los Alamos National Lab demonstrated they are capable of producing the electrons needed to generate those megawatt-class laser beams. A preliminary design review began Thursday and continues today in Virginia, according to the Office of Naval Research.
"Until now, we didn't have the evidence to support our models," Dinh Nguyen, senior project leader for the Free Electron Laser program at the New Mexico lab, said in a news release.
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
Will they work even on brightly chromed missiles?
All you need is to constructing a self-adjusting laser-target system and with 1 megawatts, watch out.
Go navy!!!
When was the last time you heard the term “Star Wars” by a Democrat?
When Jolie and Anniston were having a hissy fit over Brad Pitt ;-)
I don't know throw me a bone here people!
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