Article

2010-01-23 Science

Ray Guns Real: Army Betting Big on Laser Weapons

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Uncle Phester 2010-01-23 00:00|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#1 Laser tactics will require that the same target be covered by conventional weaponry, because lasers are inherently susceptible to obscuration. This also means that lasers are redundant.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-01-23 06:57|| 2010-01-23 06:57|| Front Page Top

#2 But as ROE evolve to only being allowed to hit only the actual individual being targeted (and maybe in only a specific anatomical location) the laser will be essential, not redundant.

Posted by Glenmore 2010-01-23 08:48|| 2010-01-23 08:48|| Front Page Top

#3 to counter artillery, mortar, drone aircraft and even rockets,

Posted by phil_b 2010-01-23 09:04|| 2010-01-23 09:04|| Front Page Top

#4 Speaking as a lifetime (So far) Science Fiction Devotee, Lasers are impractical close range weapons, a reflective belt buckle would-could fry the attacker, yet not provide safety, both would be burned.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2010-01-23 12:33|| 2010-01-23 12:33|| Front Page Top

#5 Personally I think it would be better whilst at war to cut research and let the military on the ground buy more of what they want and less of what the MoD/Pentagon thinks is fun.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2010-01-23 20:54|| 2010-01-23 20:54|| Front Page Top

#6 Well a laser might not be as random as a blaster but they would be invisible (except for the red dot) so in theory they'd make nice assassination weapons assuming you didn't have to hold it on target too long to do the deed.

Posted by rjschwarz 2010-01-23 21:15|| 2010-01-23 21:15|| Front Page Top

#7 Now if you started a rumour that you have a weapon that made Jihadis infertile...

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2010-01-23 21:40|| 2010-01-23 21:40|| Front Page Top

23:53 abu do you love
22:59 Frank G
22:52 Skidmark
22:43 gorb
22:24 lex
22:23 A_Rovian_Disciple
21:45 GirlThursday
21:42 DMFD
21:40 Bright Pebbles
21:38 Bright Pebbles
21:28 Pappy
21:28 KBK
21:24 Pappy
21:22 GirlThursday
21:20 Mike Hunt
21:19 KBK
21:16 KBK
21:15 rjschwarz
20:58 Duh
20:54 Bright Pebbles
20:43 ed
20:38 Dar
20:26 GirlThursday
20:14 Duh