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Posted: 7/20/2010 9:14:16 PM EDT
Searched, didn't find anything.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20011041-501465.html



The U.S. Navy has used a a laser weapon to shoot down four unmanned
aerial vehicles in a test that rings up memories of Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" missile defense shield in the 1980s.















The Phalanx Close-in Weapon System.






(Credit:
Raytheon)












The successful test of the Laser Weapon System off the coast of California was announced during the Farnborough International Air Show, which is taking place this week in England.
















The technology, jointly developed with Raytheon, used industrial
strength lasers, is more than just your run-of-the-mill PR exercise. In
its write-up of the technology, Scientific American
correctly notes that the shoot-down of the drones over water
constitutes an advance over previous Raytheon tests which focused on
static targets.











Mike Booen of Raytheon gave USA Today the money quote for the day: "The targets came in over the ocean, and it was a good day for lasers, bad day for drones."










Still, don't expect deployment any time soon. Even if the follow-up
tests come through with flying colors, the technology is likely going
to take several more years before it's ready for combat situation.
(Coincidentally, the breakthrough made the rounds on the anniversary of
the day that U.S. astronauts walked on the moon in 1969.





 

 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 9:15:26 PM EDT
[#1]
Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 9:16:37 PM EDT
[#3]



Quoted:


Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?


Nope, just a naval vessel, aimed at a moving target.  Apparently, that's a first.



Though, in the video above, I'm surprised it takes so long to go down.



 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 9:18:30 PM EDT
[#4]





Well, shit.  At least mine has the news article too.



 
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 5:18:28 AM EDT
[#5]
The Air force has the B747 with laser. The Army has been shooting down artillery rounds with laser for some time.
Ask the North Koreans how well it works.
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 6:18:57 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?


Sorry, the frickin laser was not mounted to a shark.
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 6:24:52 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?


Sorry, the frickin laser was not mounted to a shark.


I guess seabass would be ok too.  Surely the Navy will see the wisdom of mounting this system on either of those aquatic animals.
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 6:39:45 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?


Sorry, the frickin laser was not mounted to a shark.


Ihave one simple request and that is to have sharks with frickin laser beams attached to their heads....is that too hard to do....

Link Posted: 7/21/2010 11:20:47 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Haven't looked yet, but please tell me the laser was mounted to a sharks head?


Sorry, the frickin laser was not mounted to a shark.


Ihave one simple request and that is to have sharks with frickin laser beams attached to their heads....is that too hard to do....



I figure every creature deserves a warm meal.
Link Posted: 7/21/2010 11:28:19 AM EDT
[#10]
The drones were apparently very dark in color and non reflective.
Lasers aren't very effective on somewhat reflective light colored surfaces are they?
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