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Now try this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6380789.stm

Popular Science had an article about a year ago about battlefield lasers for fighter jets. The future is now...

I fail to see how this is "news and rumors about the world of miniature war gaming." Discussions would be the proper place.

That said, in our lifetimes we are definitely going to see laser blasters (even if they have to be vehicle or aircraft mounted), railguns and other sci-fi staples come to life and fired in anger. The Future is indeed now! I just can't wait for the guy building jet cars to get them working safely.

I just want to live long enough to live forever.

Posted By Agamemnon2006 on 02/22/2007 9:10 AM
Popular Science had an article about a year ago about battlefield lasers for fighter jets. The future is now...

The future was seven years ago, we're now in the post future age.

What happens if the target is chrome-plated?

Pray that it's rusty..as chrome often is... Could be quite a light show

Unless the target is perfectly reflective, imperfections allow heat build-up, which cause more imperfections, allowing more heat build-up, etc.  This leads to the destruction of the protective material.

Also, polished metal only reflects certain frequencies of light. Chrome does not reflect infrared, for example.

So no Glitterboys with shoulder mounted railgun death in the future?

Posted By Kid_Kyoto on 02/22/2007 10:52 AM

The future was seven years ago, we're now in the post future age.

I know, right? The future is so Winter '99.

You can't hug a child with laser railgun arms.

But you can frag one with them.

If only they could use this technological expertise to cure cancer, or to clean up the planet.

I just noticed, this would be an impressively expensive target for a single anti-armor rocket mounted on the back of a pick-up truck - like the ones Chad used against Libian Tanks.

I think one of the highlights of this technology is that it could be used to detonate Chad-type missles in flight. Sort of an Aegis system, but faster.

Point-defense laser.

Posted By Jester on 02/23/2007 5:53 PM

If only they could use this technological expertise to cure cancer, or to clean up the planet.

Lasers, in one form or another, have been used in the medical field for about 20 years now, give or take a few years.

Posted By Antonin on 02/26/2007 9:09 AM
I think one of the highlights of this technology is that it could be used to detonate Chad-type missles in flight. Sort of an Aegis system, but faster.

Point-defense laser.

Chad is a country not a rocket, missile, or mortar. Point-defense lasers are to stop those threats from afar preferably, especially for everything lighter than a MBT.

Posted By Jester on 02/23/2007 5:53 PM
If only they could use this technological expertise to cure cancer, or to clean up the planet.

Well, dead men don't get cancer.  And the planet will be pretty clean once we're extinct.

Posted By nyarlathotep667 on 02/22/2007 9:21 AM
I just can't wait for the guy building jet cars to get them working safely.

In the future I think we may see jet cars, just not the kind you're thinking of...

WHO RUN BARTERTOWN?!

Posted By Abadabadoobaddon on 02/27/2007 3:24 AM

Posted By nyarlathotep667 on 02/22/2007 9:21 AM
I just can't wait for the guy building jet cars to get them working safely.

In the future I think we may see jet cars, just not the kind you're thinking of...

WHO RUN BARTERTOWN?!

MasterBlaster? Notice that he's moved up in the world...

Posted By Rubberanvil on 02/26/2007 10:41 PM

Posted By Antonin on 02/26/2007 9:09 AM
I think one of the highlights of this technology is that it could be used to detonate Chad-type missles in flight. Sort of an Aegis system, but faster.

Point-defense laser.

Chad is a country not a rocket, missile, or mortar. Point-defense lasers are to stop those threats from afar preferably, especially for everything lighter than a MBT.

well, of course - it's a nation in the middle of Africa.  I was referring to the type of missile used by Chad in that war.  If you prefer, I can call them "Light Anti-tank Weapons".  Nevertheless, the US would be incredibly happy to have a vehicle-portable laser system that could stop short-range homemade missiles.

Master Blaster!

Posted By Antonin on 02/27/2007 12:06 PM

Posted By Rubberanvil on 02/26/2007 10:41 PM

Posted By Antonin on 02/26/2007 9:09 AM
I think one of the highlights of this technology is that it could be used to detonate Chad-type missles in flight. Sort of an Aegis system, but faster.

Point-defense laser.

Chad is a country not a rocket, missile, or mortar. Point-defense lasers are to stop those threats from afar preferably, especially for everything lighter than a MBT.

well, of course - it's a nation in the middle of Africa.  I was referring to the type of missile used by Chad in that war.  If you prefer, I can call them "Light Anti-tank Weapons".  Nevertheless, the US would be incredibly happy to have a vehicle-portable laser system that could stop short-range homemade missiles.

Master Blaster!

I wouldn't call French Milan ATGMs light, short-ranged or homemade, which were what the Chadians and French were using against the Libyans.

Anti-missile systems like this will be very popular with nations who value their soldiers lifes, once the all of the bugs are completely worked out.

 There a  Professor in Davis, Ca( and was on Mythbusters{ the one about  homemade hover packs}) that has already made  five so far and  is  taking  orders for  the jet car(  STOL short take off and landing ) cost is  90k for the first 100 then  the price will drop too 75k for the next 100.