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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Japan to develop anti-missile laser |
| 2007-05-14 |
| Japan's Defense Ministry plans to develop a high-powered laser capable of shooting down missiles to boost its defenses against North Korea, a news report said Sunday. The ministry will ask for funds next fiscal year to develop a ground-based laser capable of destroying ballistic missiles in midair, according to the Mainichi newspaper. The ministry is also considering an anti-missile laser that can be mounted on aircraft, the report said, citing unidentified officials. Unlike the Patriot missile defense system, which Japan began deploying in March, lasers would shoot down missiles shortly after they are launched, the Mainichi said. Patriot missiles can only shoot down missiles at later stages of their trajectory. The U.S. is already developing similar laser technology, according to the report. Defense officials in Tokyo were not immediately available for comment. The report comes amid heightened concern in Japan over North Korea's weapons programs. Last year, the North test-fired seven missiles into waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan, and detonated its first nuclear bomb. Since April, Japan's Defense Ministry has provided U.S. forces with intelligence from 28 radar sites across Japan and from its fighter squadrons and other air units, according to a separate report carried by Kyodo News agency. In return, Washington will share intelligence on North Korea's ballistic missiles gathered from advanced spy satellites and patrol aircraft, the report cited unnamed Japanese defense officials as saying. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #11 Ray Guns |
| Posted by: 3dc 2007-05-14 20:21 |
| #10 ounds like we're headed for a laser gap debate. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-05-14 14:52 |
| #9 Sony is say no to pr0n, thus look to the competition to win. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-05-14 14:50 |
| #8 The big question will be whether it will be Blu-Ray or HD. Whichever one makes the pr0n look best. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-05-14 14:42 |
| #7 Because we don't want F22 technology distributed to people who've been known to repackage our technology and sell it elsewhere. As to the Japanese laser, I've been assured by the Dhimmicrats that a missile defense system can't possibly work. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2007-05-14 14:41 |
| #6 Why shouldn't the Japanese and Israelis get the F22? They've both got common enemies to the US. |
| Posted by: Apostate 2007-05-14 13:36 |
| #5 The big question will be whether it will be Blu-Ray or HD. |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2007-05-14 13:01 |
| #4 Mike got to the Gojira reference before I did. Dang! |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-05-14 12:35 |
| #3 I'd expect it has a secondary anti-kaiju capability. |
| Posted by: Mike 2007-05-14 11:21 |
| #2 I'm just glad that SOMEBODY sees the wisdom of continuing these "science experiments!" Does the democrat talking point of "These systems aren't ready yet so let's cut off ABM research and science experiments" fooling anybody who does not already want to be fooled??? |
| Posted by: Zorba Gleremp6833 2007-05-14 11:12 |
| #1 Now that the Democrats are slashing the budget for *our* airborne laser, maybe the Japanese will sell us *their* airborne laser. In exchange for F-22 Raptors. Which we didn't want to sell to anybody. But the Democrats have left us no choice. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-05-14 10:08 |