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Science & Technology
US subs would be sitting ducks for new Chinese 'Death Star' laser satellite that will be able spot them 1,600ft below the surface
2018-10-02
[DailyMail]
  • 'Project Guanlan' lasers may be so powerful they will make the sea 'more or less transparent'

  • The artificial laser beam could be one billion times brighter than he sun

  • Some experts say this type of deep-sea surveillance is 'mission impossible' as lasers are fundamentally unable to penetrate that deep

  • Project Guanlan, which means 'watching the big waves' launched in May at the Pilot National Laboratory in Qingdao in Shandong

  • Components being developed by more than 20 universities across China
Posted by:Skidmark

#20  "artificial laser beam"? Oh the environmentalists will protest that they should be using Natural laser beams in the ocean.

Is this the Weekly World News? Is BatBoy aiming the lasers?

I guess the inverse square law and refraction of moving water, and the air, and the air-water interface do nothing at all to dissipate that.
Posted by: Injun Bucket8891   2018-10-02 23:43  

#19  As a counter-measure I would (1) use mirrored decks on surface ships that would deflect the bulk of a laser strike (2) Tactics to have subs roll and dive to ensure the laser can't continue to hit the same spot for more than a few seconds (3) Constant ground based lasers aimed at the satellite to encourage self-tasing and prevent the thing from firing at all.

The cool temperature of the ocean would also be wonderfully helpful for subs to defuse the laser heat before it could cut into the subs hull.

Posted by: rjschwarz   2018-10-02 23:19  

#18  Wait, did someone mention Jill St. John? Mmmmmmm
Posted by: Frank G   2018-10-02 20:03  

#17  

007 got Exclusive look at Chinese satellite!
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2018-10-02 18:29  

#16  Japan takes the lead!

Posted by: Thrise Shomble3667   2018-10-02 17:30  

#15  Assuming this is legit, an obvious countermeasure would be unmanned decoy submarines.

Cheap hulls in the right shape, plus some simple propulsion and a computer putting these contraptions on a random but plausible course would probably look like real subs to Guanlan's first iteration.

Of course this would only be the first step in an arms race. Both decoys and detectors would improve.
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660   2018-10-02 15:32  

#14  Jill St. John. Wait, what were we talking about?
Posted by: SteveS   2018-10-02 15:25  

#13  'Diamonds are Forever'?
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2018-10-02 15:08  

#12  I keep thinking Goldfinger.
Posted by: Woodrow   2018-10-02 11:50  

#11  So they can get DirecTV in a submarine?
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-10-02 09:48  

#10  'Death Star' lunar circling degrades reception, the downside.
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-10-02 09:28  

#9  "A 'laser'"
Posted by: Frank G   2018-10-02 09:28  

#8  Up to 1600ft down? Somehow I don't think so but I'm sure the journalists will be all over this one.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2018-10-02 09:24  

#7  Uh huh....

I guess the same PR guy that works for Iran is now doing work for China.
Posted by: DarthVader   2018-10-02 09:12  

#6  "Could be", "May be"
Posted by: Frank G   2018-10-02 08:44  

#5  Rah is right. total fantasy.

Current lasers can city through steal easy enough but require a large room full of support cabinets and power amps. Such a satellite would be massive and thus a target; lasers are finicky and need attention; laser gasses would have to be replaced; laser beams are always expanding or contracting and thus have limits on range and this is long range; atmosphere and water are going to kill the power to nothing before it can hit a sub.
Posted by: Rjschwarz   2018-10-02 08:36  

#4  Totally believable! My "Gell-Mann amnesia" is in full operation! Get those submarines hidden now!
[PANIC mode]
[PANIC mode]
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839   2018-10-02 08:30  

#3  Since it's probably a copy of something anyway, someone would know where the thermal exhaust port is located.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2018-10-02 08:07  

#2  If it did exist it will be the first target before hostilities begin
Posted by: 3dc   2018-10-02 04:13  

#1  â€¢The artificial laser beam could be one billion times brighter than (t)he sun

Like the one coming out of my ass? Totally believable!
Posted by: Raj   2018-10-02 00:22  

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