The Air Force and Boeing achieved a directed-energy breakthrough with these tests. MATRIX—Mobile Active Targeting Resource for Integrated eXperiments—performance is especially noteworthy because it demonstrated unprecedented, ultra-precise and lethal acquisition, pointing and tracking at long ranges using relatively low laser power.
I’m sure that description would get Governor Tarkin wet. Boeing — along with the Air Force and the Army — also tested the Laser Avenger, a kinetic-laser hybrid weapon that fires a high power death ray coupled with a 25mm machine gun.
Obviously, the kids in the funny uniforms are happy with their new toys, but I would like to see if they can do the same with a small thermal exhaust port only two metres wide. [Boeing via PopSci]
Graham
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:49 AMForgive me for my ignorance, but what happens when the enemy decides to create their missiles with a mirrored surface, or better yet, creates their own drone plane with an intelligently adjustable mirror that can redirect the laser right back at the source or towards their own target on the ground?
Devz
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11:53 AMDont be silly, the military dont believe in those so-called ‘mirrors’ you speak of :)
Christopher
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 8:05 PMI’m guessing that’s why it has a machine-gun with it. To shoot the mirror first.
I can’t wait for the disco-ball version though.
James-Mac
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10:32 AMAny details on how long it had to make contact with the target.
I’m assuming it’s not like a bullet in that it doesn’t provide kinetic force… so it must be in contact long enough to burn through the target.
Any idea if they overcame the “blooming” problem?
Which is where the laser looses power because it’s superheating the air along its path to the target.