Laser Cannons --> Military --> Spam

[Cyrien]

Hrmm... I have found the exact same article word for word in several other locations but none of them are what I would consider reputable. More like the internet Versions of National Inquirer. So... independent verification of anything they mention... no can do. Outa curiosity I tried to find info on the Soviet - Chinese conflict over the river they mention at one point in the article where the Soviets in the 1960's used a laser weapon to blow up a Chinese wall or some such. I can verify the conflict but nothing about laser weapons or any special wall that was blown up.

I haven't tried to check up on anything else in it so far though.

[Wardad]

inquiring minds want to know

[se5a]

what are you talking about!!! give me linkage!!!

[rdouglass]

The articles talk about technical problems and that the laser is not "visible light". So my question is have they solved the "age-old" laser problem of seeing/firing thru clouds or smoke?

I can just imagine the US with it's x-trillion dollar laser rifle being unable to shoot thru the smoke of simple smoke grenades.

IIRC even the laser-guided bombs have issues with that....they usually switch to other targeting methods in inclement wether, etc.....

[Cyrien]

The problem with the targeting lasers and dust is that the dust disperses the laser. Since they are guidance and rely on the laser being reflected back the dust blocks it. A laser weapon on the other hand would slice through the dust just like it would body armor, flesh, and a foot of solid steel.

As for targeting. There are existing weapons targeting systems that can cut through it. Just use those.

There is linkage se5a. Check the first page. I have several links in one of my Posts.

[ November 01, 2003, 02:03: Message edited by: Cyrien ]

[rdouglass]

Originally posted by Cyrien:
A laser weapon on the other hand would slice through the dust just like it would body armor, flesh, and a foot of solid steel...

Yes, and wouldn't that use energy as it burned thru or couldn't we use simple mirrors (or EMF) to divert? After all, it is (in it's simplest form) a beam of light with all the wave and particle properties accorded light? How do you think they point the laser to begin with? ...there are mechanisms available to redirect laser pulses....

I'm kinda' familiar with physics and have read the articles, I just don't see how these would be an all-purpose weapon for terrestrial applications. In orbit, yes; I see no problems except for those noted (power, scale, etc.) Ground-based systems? - I see too many issues surrounding the concept of keeping them laser pulses propigating at full power thru our atmosphere except under "optimal" conditions.

Just my $.02....

[Suicide Junkie]

In practical terms, you don't need full power to reach the target. Just a large enough fraction that you can crank up the juice to compensate without destroying your weapon.