• Technology

    How It Works: The Flying Laser Cannon

    By Posted on 3.18.2008 31 Comments

    digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/How_It_Works_The_Airborne_Laser_Cannon'; Creating a laser that can melt a soda can in a lab is a finicky enough task. Later this year, scientists will put a 40,000-pound chemical laser in the belly of a gunship flying at 300 mph and take aim at targets as far away as five miles. And were not talking aluminum cans. Boeings new Advanced Tactical Laser will cook trucks, tanks, radio stations—the kinds of things hit with missiles and rockets today. Whereas conventional projectiles can lose sight of their target and be shot down or deflected, the ATL moves at the speed of light and can strike several targets in rapid succession.

    3.29.2008 at 01:55pm - Comment by timbotsford

    ...so let me get this straight...if you were in combat and a enemy soldier points his rifle at you, you would ask him politely to 'please, pretty please, set your rifle down and don't shoot me'!??. Really? ...REALLY? You must not have an understanding of WAR. I am not concerned with a bird getting toasted, might be tasty, but I would definitely kill any enemy soldier and would not care if I used a bullet or a laser, but he WILL NOT be able to shoot back at me or any of my fellow soldiers or citizens, including you, now or later!! God bless my side and NOT the enemy!! Please think again and don't equate all soldiers with Nazi's. That is left-wing liberal nonsense.

  • Technology

    How It Works: The Flying Laser Cannon

    By Posted on 3.18.2008 31 Comments

    digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/How_It_Works_The_Airborne_Laser_Cannon'; Creating a laser that can melt a soda can in a lab is a finicky enough task. Later this year, scientists will put a 40,000-pound chemical laser in the belly of a gunship flying at 300 mph and take aim at targets as far away as five miles. And were not talking aluminum cans. Boeings new Advanced Tactical Laser will cook trucks, tanks, radio stations—the kinds of things hit with missiles and rockets today. Whereas conventional projectiles can lose sight of their target and be shot down or deflected, the ATL moves at the speed of light and can strike several targets in rapid succession.

    3.29.2008 at 01:45pm - Comment by timbotsford

    ...okay, and mirrors are indestructable????? perhaps this would simply burn a hole through them with the intense heat? Okay, I admit my physics or metalurgy (sp?) skills are impaired with lack of education, BUT will a mirror reflect ANY and EVERY element of light without any possible damage to the mirror? signed: I don't know!!



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