Start of a new arms race?

[phil-sti]

just read this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10682693

now as cool as this is, once they can shoot down ICBM's does this mean that the US has the upper hand as any potential nuclear enemy cant have a first or second strike capability....... are we going to have a new Cuba?

[Timmy35]

I think that's a way off isn't it, after all shooting down a slow moving drone is rather different to bringing down an ICBM!

Now if they could attach one to a shark that would be something.

[phil-sti]

i know it may be some way off but it wasn't to long ago that the laser had to be carried by a 747.


interesting idea..... what about fitting lasers on spitfires in space?

[Oily Nails]

Did you see how long it took to damage that drone! and it was flying flat straight and level!

Lasers are some way off being battlefied feasible, they are just too slow compared to a projectile weapon

[loltolhurst]

makes you wonder though if thats what they are showing off in public what must be under development.

lasers

cool

[Timmy35]

Oily Nails said:

Did you see how long it took to damage that drone! and it was flying flat straight and level!

Lasers are some way off being battlefied feasible, they are just too slow compared to a projectile weapon

Good 'non lethal' weapon though for blinding infantry.

[MarkK]

Not allowed to use "lasers" to blind combatants I'm afraid - only to kill them.

Timmy35 said:

Oily Nails said:

Did you see how long it took to damage that drone! and it was flying flat straight and level!

Lasers are some way off being battlefied feasible, they are just too slow compared to a projectile weapon

Good 'non lethal' weapon though for blinding infantry.

[shouldbworking]

Timmy35 said:

I think that's a way off isn't it, after all shooting down a slow moving drone is rather different to bringing down an ICBM!

Now if they could attach one to a shark that would be something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVfyZacLJQU

Not that far off

The limitations of the aircraft in this example are quite extreme mind - chemical lasers and a fairly limited range would require a fleet of such aircraft operating around enemy borders. In its current state its not developed enough, but it shows that it certainly will be before long.