And I AIN'T afraid to use it.
Posted on 06/12/2006 11:34:01 AM PDT by BenLurkin
EDWARDS AFB - Edwards Air Force Base officials are preparing to test laser weapons at the nation's premier flight test center.
In readying for such tests, base officials have prepared an environmental assessment, which evaluates the danger of harm to the physical, natural and human environments.
The testing covered by this assessment would all occur inside the restricted area in which Edwards resides. It calls for allowing up to 140 flight tests and 24 ground tests beginning in 2006 and increasing to up 394 flight tests and 24 ground tests in 2010.
"Lasers are used by lots of people," and much is known about how they affect their surroundings, Wood said. "This is just a very high-powered one, but no different than other lasers."
The high accuracy of laser targetting and the ability to very quickly shut it down should there be a problem limits the impact of their use on their surroundings.
The assessment is for laser weapons projects in general, not for any one specific project, said Gary Hatch, spokesman for Edwards' Environmental Management Division.
This wide-ranging approval will cover any future programs that meet the assessment criteria.
For those that don't quite fit, it will require amending the assessment, but the document already in place will serve as a starting point and ultimately save time to get a project up and running, he said.
The assessment covers electric or chemical lasers, ground or air-based and is designed to cover possible weapons already being developed by the Department of Defense.
At this time Edwards has only one laser test program in the works, the Airborne Laser. This weapons system is designed to use a high-energy laser mounted in a highly-modified 747 aircraft to destroy a ballistic missile while it is still in the boost phase, shortly after launch.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
What? OHHH, never mind...
ping for great zot
I kind of like how our test happens to coincide with North Korea's missile test.
And I AIN'T afraid to use it.
Maybe a friendly moderator will stick "[Air Force Base]" into the title after "Edwards" so as to clarify.
No, I was just kiddin.
Frikkin - I propose this as the name for the new shark species discovered off south carolina recently.
Works for me. Ever seen one up close?
Your're right, the title is misleading. Good info though, thanks.
I thought you meant a real kitty zot! Zot/zap. Must have absorbed one too many laser beams. LOL
Wait... are you sure we want to trust this guy with laser weapons?
Note to self:
Cancel Silky Pony Ping. Wrong Edwards.
I was driving past Edwards AFB two weeks ago (on vacation) and since I was in the neighborhood wanted to go to the flight test museum. I drove up to the gate and the guards looked like they were going to pop a cork! Apparently the flight test museum is only open to folks with military id and a civilian driving up to the gate is a major deal!
Now, when the Russians
blame the US for torching
their dance manikins,
their PR people
will be able to present
a much better case . . .
ping
LOL! Good one.
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