Free-Electron Laser

[Cms204]

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/02/18/navy-breaks-world-record-futuristic-laser-getting-real/

That is why I want to be a part of our nation's military. I want the pride and privilege of working with that kind of technology. Twenty feet of steel per second. That is amazing to me.

 

[patentesq]

I bet the Air Force is jealous!

 

[sg1fan93]

Bring on the Storm Troopers!

In all seriousness that was a very interesting read.

 

[hornetguy]

Back in August and Sept I was working on the RAND team which is looking at directed energy (laser) weapons to replace the guns on the AC-130. Before I went dormant on the project for other interests, we were looking at the ethics, etc. of them. The weapon itself was impressive for its size.

When I see this on a ship the first thing that actually came to my mind was small modular reactors. I've been following those for awhile, but they would be PERFECT compared to current naval reactors for providing the requisite energy to power these weapons and easy to put on a ship.

Neat stuff.

 

[osdad]

Something for my physics major plebe to look forward to working on...