Army's High-Speed Laser Hits Shell

AP ^ | 11/09/2002 | Unknown

[Arkie2]

The Air Force has a 747 flying now with a chemical laser onboard they claim can take down a scud missile in the boost phase. They also claim it can defend itself against fighters and even enemy air to air missiles. Wouldn't surprise me if this thing didn't get a test run in the upcoming GW II.

[TeleStraightShooter]

Bah-dum-pah
*rim-shot*

[Arkie2]

Have you heard the one the Brits are working on? It involves charging the hull armour on their tanks to destroy the armour penetrating rounds currently in use. Can you say "Polarize the hull"?

[Momaw Nadon]

[ChadGore]

Re:Have you heard the one the Brits are working on? It involves charging the hull armour on their tanks to destroy the armour penetrating rounds currently in use. Can you say "Polarize the hull"?

Hmmmm sounds interesting. Where might I find out more ?

[demlosers]

Yup!

excerpt:

US Begins Testing Airborne Laser To Shoot Down Missiles

flash gordon would be proud
Washington (AFP) Jul 19, 2002
A jumbo jet retrofitted to carry a laser gun capable of shooting down enemy missiles has been flight-tested for the first time as part of US efforts to build a controversial missile defense system, according to defense and industry officials.

The modified Boeing 747-400 took off from an airport in Wichita, Kansas, Thursday for a two-hour flight to check the aircraft's aerodynamic performance and system operation, the officials said.

The test marked the beginning of a months-long flight-worthiness test program for the first airborne laser aircraft, which sports a nose turret and top-mounted laser targeting pod.

The plane is expected to become a key component of the multi-layered missile defense system envisaged by President George W. Bush.

end Snip....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/719355/posts

[Calvin Locke]

Looks like a big UFO killer to me.

Looks like the real reason Art Bell is retiring (yet again) to me.

[Cobra64]

I'll get one when they offer one that will fit on my Hummer.

[xJones]

Thank You Ronald Reagan

And thank you, Edward Teller.

[Interesting Times]

Bah-dum-pah

*rim-shot*

Bless you.

I was bracing myself for an earnest explanation...

[demlosers]

...Wouldn't surprise me if this thing didn't get a test run in the upcoming GW II.

Thats exactly what I would do. Nothing better than war time conditions to test a new prototype weapon.

[js1138]

Actually, even the low-speed lasers are fairly fast.

Thank you. I got a chuckle out of the title.

[usadave]

``Shooting down a single artillery shell is pretty cool, but artillery shells don't come in ones,'' said Christopher Hellman, a senior analyst at the Center for Defense Information in Washington.

Wow, Christopher, is it really "pretty cool"? Or would "narly" be a more accurate description?

[Arkie2]

Go here

http://www.gyre.org/news/cache/2449

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Bump for Death Star defense.

[demlosers]

Many of the grenades were fired from point-blank range but the only damage to the APC was cosmetic. The vehicle was driven away under its own power.

Cool.

[RAY]

The technology to track and hit a fast moving object with a laser does not surprise me. However, to produce a beam with enough energy to destroy an object at great distance amazes me.

[thedugal]

Actually, yes, I have heard of it and I like it. Of course, if you ask me, the 21st century isn't official until I have a flying car, but that's just a personal note.

[Arkie2]

Your Mr Fusion powered car is in dealer showrooms now! LOL

[Tango Whiskey Papa]

"You don't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em." --General Lewis "Chesty" Puller