Advanced Laser weaponry

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:42 pm

Personally, I see it as a logical progression, especially these latest developments.

Like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Tac ... ergy_Laser

And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Energ ... nse_System

I can't wait to see laser-equipped F-22s blasting targets. Another step in the right direction, as far as I'm concerned.

Post by **Mikey** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:42 am

Is that the same sort of anti-missile system that's being developed to be carried aboard B-52's?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:54 am

Mikey wrote:Is that the same sort of anti-missile system that's being developed to be carried aboard B-52's?

You mean a 747? Not even close, the 747 version is intended to down ICBM's in the boost phase and takes up most of the internal volume of the aircraft. This is akin to the 20mm Vulcan already in the aircraft.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:55 am

That would be this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_tactical_laser, and they're planning to fit it on C-130 gunships as well.

I'm sure the development is related. Seems like we're actually trying to cover all bases with these programs.

This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LThD0FMvTFU shows that there is still some work to be done, but the system is viable. I like how you can't see the beam except in IR.

Post by **Mikey** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:59 am

Cpl Kendall wrote:
Mikey wrote:Is that the same sort of anti-missile system that's being developed to be carried aboard B-52's?
You mean a 747? Not even close, the 747 version is intended to down ICBM's in the boost phase and takes up most of the internal volume of the aircraft. This is akin to the 20mm Vulcan already in the aircraft.

I could have sworn I heard that it was to be fitted to modded B-52's. Oh well. As far as being akin to the 20mm cannon, I'd have to see some pretty convincing reports that it's measurably better than the cannon before I'd start refitting anything.

PS - I'm no optical physicist, but I thought you couldn't see ANY laser beam with the naked eye, without the addition of a medium like smoke or something.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:05 am

Mikey wrote:
PS - I'm no optical physicist, but I thought you couldn't see ANY laser beam with the naked eye, without the addition of a medium like smoke or something.

You can't with the naked eye, unless there's smoke or dust present. Shows up fine in IR though.

Edit: And for you to see it with smoke present the laser has to be in the visible spectrum.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:08 am

Mikey wrote:...PS - I'm no optical physicist, but I thought you couldn't see ANY laser beam with the naked eye, without the addition of a medium like smoke or something.

Sure looked awesome at the Tool concert; they must've used some kind of smoke, but it wasn't visible. They had every color beam I can think of. I may not have been on drugs, but it sure felt like it when hundreds of beams started blasting throughout the stadium.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:10 am

Tsukiyumi wrote:
Sure looked awesome at the Tool concert; they must've used some kind of smoke, but it wasn't visible. They had every color beam I can think of. I may not have been on drugs, but it sure felt like it when hundreds of beams started blasting throughout the stadium.

It doesn't take much smoke or dust to make it visible, they did the same thing at the Rush concert in Ottawa last year. At first glance there didn't seem like there was any smoke at all, fortunately I could see back stage.

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:19 am

Cpl Kendall wrote:It doesn't take much smoke or dust to make it visible, they did the same thing at the Rush concert in Ottawa last year. At first glance there didn't seem like there was any smoke at all, fortunately I could see back stage.

You got to see Rush? Neil Peart is one of my favorite drummers ever.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:26 am

Tsukiyumi wrote: You got to see Rush? Neil Peart is one of my favorite drummers ever.

Yeah, I was never a big fan until my wife got me to listen to more of them. It was a bit of a dissapointment because they played most of the stuff from the new album and I wanted to hear Tom Sawyer and Nobody's Hero and such.

Post by **Mikey** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:33 am

Moving Pictures is one of the great albums, front to back, ever.

And I saw effects like that at a few Jane's Addiction concerts... but I think they were internally-generated...

stitch626 · Post by **stitch626** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:48 am

I think this topic should be nominated for "Fastest off-topicness"

Post by **Tsukiyumi** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:09 am

stitch626 wrote:I think this topic should be nominated for "Fastest off-topicness"

Almost as fast as... a laser?

Post by **Teaos** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:27 am

mwhittington · Post by **mwhittington** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:31 am

Tsukiyumi wrote:
stitch626 wrote:I think this topic should be nominated for "Fastest off-topicness"
Almost as fast as... a laser?

And now it's nominated for "Fastest Back-on-Topicness".