Anti-artillery laser successfully tested

Washington Times ^ | 11/10/02 | AP

[kattracks]

LOS ANGELES (AP)

[Arthur McGowan]

Seems a device like this could be used to neutralize a dictator with minimal collateral damage.

[alaskanfan]

Other related weapons the U.S. military is developing include the Airborne Laser, a $3.7 billion project to mount a laser aboard a Boeing 747. The flying laser is being built to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles shortly after launch. Also under development are space-based lasers, which would also target ballistic missiles, and ground-based systems that could take out orbiting satellites.

That almost sounds like Reagan era star wars stuff.

And the detractors said it would never work. Not to mention the technology from those programs, that are in use today.

[Pontiac]

As it traveled at about 1,000 mph, it was tracked by radar and infrared heat sensors. Then it was locked onto and zapped by the laser beam traveling at light speed.

If you can target an artillery shell why not an incoming MIRV? It too would have a heat signature and I believe would be traveling significantly slower.

[JameRetief]

The weapon would also have to be nimble enough to destroy multiple rounds as quickly as they are fired.

"Shooting down a single artillery shell is pretty cool, but artillery shells don't come in ones,"

As they get smaller, deploying several of these and linking them via wireless to a central supercomputer would be quite potent. They could target and hit multiple incoming rounds without duplicate targeting.

In addition, this technology could be adapted for other uses. Target enemy units from far greater distances than conventional weaponry allows. Heck, use it as a "sniper" device. Pick them off one unit at a time until they all hide in a bunker, then Fuel-Air Bomb the bunkers.

[Woodman]

Got to here Boeing Airborn Laser. I think we may already have it.

And I'm sure it could hit a slow moving target much easier than a rocket.

[Momaw Nadon]