DAWN OF THE AIRBORNE LASER

popular science ^ | march-2003 | by Mark Farmer

[ffusco]

I was alluding to Zues hurling bolts of lightning from the heavens. Not a 60 year old missile.

[JohnBovenmyer]

With this in place NK can only threaten Seoul, not the US. If Clinton had honestly pursued missile defense we'd have it already. On the other hand then China would have it too... Does anyone know whether blowing up the rocket would kill its nuclear warhead or would it nuke wherever it falls? The latter could be a problem for Japan.

BTW, if they've only got 20 shots a plane don't waste them on NK aircraft or short range non-nuclear capable missiles. Fighters and Patriots can take care of them. Save your shots for the targets that really count. If we had it available now then we could use it for Scuds and such as Saddam has no better targets.

[1rudeboy]

That's the word I couldn't remember.

[Defender2]

Okay. I did not know if you knew the name was applied to the earlier system.

[ffusco]

Too funny. What if your golf ball was vaporized before it fell in the water hazard. Mulligan or penalty stroke?

[michaelt]

From the article:

"There is very little experience in the whole process of building a high-power laser and intercepting a missile with it," Ghoshroy notes.

Well, Mr. Genius Scientist, we won't get that experience until we do stuff like this, right?

[ffusco]

Actually I remember the Nike system, but I didn't know the full designation "Nike Zeus". I remeber the missile looked like The space craft Icarus from the original
"Planet of the Apes."


http://www.goingfaster.com/icarus/escapeship.html

[JohnBovenmyer]

I submit we call it the Ronald Ray-Gun !

A GREAT IDEA!!! Let's name one for the Gipper. He made it possible so he deserves the tribute. The B movie flavor fits his B movie background. And this would drive liberals crazy. San Francisco would probably vote to be nuked rather than be saved by the Ronald Ray-Gun.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

They still have to solve the weight problems.

[Defender2]

Yeah. the Nike system had three layers. Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules were traditional SAM systems. Nike Zeus was the initial ABM work. It tranformed into the Spartan system. Today's technology is much more advanced.

[ffusco]

Now what we next is a "Death Star" or at least a way to control the weather. Take that China!

[Mr Rogers]

The system is interesting, but it is a long way from operational. I'm not about to bet on it becoming operational in 2005 - hell, the F-22 isn't operational and it's been under work for ages! The manufacturers would do well not to oversell their product - creates disappointment when the new SuperDoomer 2000 doesn't reinvent the world.

[nightdriver]

Hmmm. Remember the James Bond movie "Diamonds Are Forever?"

[Saturnalia]

When can we mount this on a giant robot?

[js1138]

This is Real Genius.

[skinkinthegrass]

now-abandoned Star Wars program... an Liberal tagline....your right.

[skinkinthegrass]

now-abandoned Star Wars program... an Liberal tagline....your right.

[July 4th]

Just think. Fly this thing on the edge of an aerial battlefield where Mirage jets are engaging our F22s. The computer picks out the Mirages, and burns holes in their fuel tanks one by one, while the F22s take care of the rest. Total air superiority.

[dozer7]

yahoo! I was there for it's first flight. That big boy took off from Wichita and dissapeared heading south.

regards

dozer7

[Libertarianize the GOP]

WOW!