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DARPA testing planes with a 'Star Wars'-style laser cannon
C/NET ^ | 16 Sep 2014 | Eric Mack

Posted on 09/16/2014 11:08:57 AM PDT by mandaladon

We don't have X-wing fighters just yet, but we may soon have their laser weapons. DARPA is working on a system that's downright Lucasian.

Prepare yourself for a future filled with real-life pew pew! The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working with Lockheed Martin to test "a new beam control turret... to give 360-degree coverage for high-energy laser weapons operating on military aircraft."

In other words, it stuck a primitive (by rebel standards) "Star Wars"-style laser cannon on a fighter jet and flew it over Michigan eight times.

"These initial flight tests validate the performance of our ABC turret design," Lockheed's Doug Graham said. in a release.

That ABC stands for Aero-adaptive Aero-optic Beam Control, which is designed to allow high-energy lasers to fire on enemy aircraft and missiles from a full 360 degrees -- above, below, and behind the aircraft.

The test flights demonstrated the airworthiness of the turret, but it doesn't appear that anyone or anything in the Great Lakes region was actually zapped as part of testing.

Still, this represents a significant move toward the inevitable merging of the "Star Wars" universe with our own so-called "reality." We've already seen the Navy's laser weapon that's set to deploy, and science has discovered how to create a real-life lightsaber, so perhaps it would be wise to start scanning the galaxies not just for potentially habitable exoplanets, but for planet-size super weapons as well.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: laser; military; starwars
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To: mandaladon

Now get pilots who can hit a tiny target without a computer and we have something!


21 posted on 09/16/2014 12:28:01 PM PDT by ClearBlueSky (When anyone says its not about Islam...it's about Islam. That death cult must be eradicated.)
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To: prisoner6
WHOA! ..way *too complex; I ain't ridin'/piloting that thang! 👾

look @ TFX (flying car; maybe better than the Mollier :)

http://youtu.be/HuXbM0kaD7k


22 posted on 09/16/2014 12:32:58 PM PDT by skinkinthegrass (The end move in politics in always to pick up a weapon...eh? "Bathhouse" 0'Mullah? d8^)
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To: thackney

Pilot to gunner: Okay, Fire when ready!

Gunner: Done sir!

Pilot: Our tail just fell off!

Gunner: The target was behind us, sir!........................


23 posted on 09/16/2014 12:35:31 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: RandallFlagg

Oh, hilarious!

That’s either an excellent Photoshop job or my dream has come true.


24 posted on 09/16/2014 12:41:17 PM PDT by PastorBooks
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To: mandaladon
A planet-size super weapon already exists, it's called the O' Debt Star.


25 posted on 09/16/2014 1:04:34 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: cripplecreek
it stuck a primitive (by rebel standards) "Star Wars"-style laser cannon on a fighter jet and flew it over Michigan eight times.

Umm..

Did they zap any of your bear, bambi, possum, 'coon, or chupacabra population while they were over head?

...or any feral demoncrats?

26 posted on 09/16/2014 1:04:41 PM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

It might explain that hole in the top of Michael Brown’s head.


27 posted on 09/16/2014 1:11:44 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Charles Martel
Well then...

That would be a great shot - from Detroit all the way to Ferguson...

Did the autopsy reveal char marks on the edges of that, um, bullet hole??

28 posted on 09/16/2014 1:34:16 PM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

With sufficient altitude...


29 posted on 09/16/2014 1:42:09 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: GeronL

Sadly it seems Russia and China have these plans in their hands before the ink dries on the paper...

And now, they will have to develop a system to defeat the laser for when it is mounted on Chinese and Russian aircraft...


30 posted on 09/16/2014 2:18:33 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: Charles Martel

They never found that round rod that made that defect.


31 posted on 09/16/2014 8:28:04 PM PDT by USAF80
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To: ClearBlueSky

A-10 fighter pilots


32 posted on 09/17/2014 5:30:48 AM PDT by Hulka
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