Laser Weapon Shoots Down Airplanes In Test

airshowfan writes "Boeing's directed-energy weapons (a.k.a. frickin' laser beams) have been getting some attention lately. The Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) is a C-130 that famously burned a hole through a car's hood, and the YAL-1 AirBorne Laser is a 747 that shoots a laser from its nose that is powerful enough to bring down an ICBM. But even cooler is the Mobile Active Targeting Resource for Integrated eXperiments (MATRIX), a laser that is mounted on a truck (which probably costs less than a 747, but who knows) and that can shoot down small aircraft, as shown in the picture on this article. (The Laser Avenger supposedly also has this capability). We live in the future!"

Now...

[Monkeedude1212]

Develop me a functioning Magnetic shield mechanism, so that I can mount both on a 1-man-space-capable-fighter, and get me a date with Natalie Portman, and my fantasy is complete.

Slashdotted?

[thewils]

Apparently they capture the heat generated by the server as it gets slashdotted to recharge the laser. Keep clicking the links lads, it's your patriotic duty.

Re:Simple countermeasure: Fly low

[Verdatum]

Unless you have a gigantic Jiffypop skillet in the foyer! Then it's popcorn for everybody! (At least until the Mythbusters go and ruin my fun.)

Re:Shiny things?

[fulldecent]

well, that's easy... just attach 30 bathroom mirrors IN SERIES. that would reduce it it 1% of the original.

This is not new

[bl8n8r]

EA has had this in Command and Conquer Zero Hour for quite a few years now. I'm guessing the U.S. military ripped this off from EA.

Re:747 vs. a truck

[SnarfQuest]

Plus, the 747 can carry a larger tank for the sharks

Re:Shiny things?

[natehoy]

So, a Beowulf cluster of bathroom mirrors, then?

Re:That's easy

[tnk1]

I totally agree. We should transfer the decision making process to people who have deep-seated emotional interest in the situation. That will ensure the best possible response in any given situation.

Warning Label Near the Trigger:

[Normal Dan]

"Aim Away From Face"

That's not true at all

[Weaselmancer]

I assure you - the Cleveland Browns would still suck if they played by NBA rules. They could fuck up a game of Calvinball.

Re:*yawn*

[halivar]

Yeah, no one has ever attacked a *nice* country.

Re:Now...

[mcgrew]

She's too young. Give me a two person space-capable-fighter. And her mom.

And a pony.