• 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.

    Article Rating:
    4.16.2008 at 08:35am - Comment by jackham8

    Jack Hamilton WOW!!!!!

  • Technology

    DARPA's Amazing Robot Pack Mule Keeps its Balance On Ice

    By Posted on 3.17.2008 17 Comments

    Two years ago we showed you Boston Dynamics' incredible BigDog—one of the world's most ambitious legged robots—being developed for DARPA and the U.S. Army. With its advanced system of hyper-responsive hydraulic joints and a suite of sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes, the BigDog's most stunning achievement is it's ability to walk, climb and maintain its balance on diverse terrain, even after slipping on ice or receiving a kick to one side. All while carrying several hundreds of pounds of supplies on its "back."

    4.16.2008 at 08:31am - Comment by jackham8

    Jack Hamilton That machine dog makes a really bee-like buzzing. Maybe it could be used for scaring the enemy from the woods. (even more if they outfitted it with some type of small dart)!

  • Technology

    NASA Tweaks a Spacecraft's Path en Route to Mars

    By Posted on 4.15.2008 2 Comments

    Setting a spacecraft down on Mars isn't exactly easy—just ask Beagle 2. NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander, en route and due for a May 25 rendezvous with the surface, recently received a course adjustment from mission planners as they try to ensure that the craft doesn't drop down in a danger zone.

    4.16.2008 at 08:26am - Comment by jackham8

    Jack Hamilton Really, I do think that this touchdown will be possible if these scientists put their minds to it, as they did it before with the moon.



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