Page 1 of 3
Artillery shell is shot down by U.S. laser...
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:17 pm
by Krimson Klaw
http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/11/0 ... index.html
That's right, we are now shooting down not only missiles with lasers, but artillery shells too travelling at supersonic speeds. Thanks Reagan for your vision of Star Wars.
I cannot even begin to fathom the amount of technology needed to achieve this feat. As secretive as they were with the stealth project for a decade leading up to the general public knowing about it...if they are letting the public in on this, then imagine what they have yet to tell us they have.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:31 pm
by Aabidano
The laser was fired from a static testbed in a carefully controlled test
Pretty cool stuff, none of it is anywhere near ready for prime time though. Functional "star wars" gear is quite a few years out still.
Hitting a small fast target with a known path is very difficult. Finding, targetting and actually affecting one with an unknown path is beyond us in the short term.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:34 pm
by kyoukan
Thank you Reagen. All those hundreds of billions of dollars spent on hare brained stupidity while people in your own country suffered the extremes of poverty were really well spent. Now you can shoot artillery out of the air in case Mexico starts to shell California.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:35 pm
by Neost
Wonder how much power it pulls? Anyone live near by and experience blackouts?
I can see it now. Armored Personnel Carrier with this new unit pulls up to the White House, soldier with extension cord jumps out, knocks on the door. Bush answers the door and the soldier asks "You got some place we could plug this in?"
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:36 pm
by Krimson Klaw
Just the fact that a laser was able to knock out a hunk of metal travelling at supersonic speed ia amazing by itself.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:36 pm
by Voronwë
knowing the way the US military does public tests that Congress and the Contracters get to witness, i would not be surprised if the laser had all of the target information ahead of time.
still, it's cool, but yes a long way from real application. we still can't get missiles to hit other missiles reliably even when the interceptor missile has all of the trajectory information from the "enemy" missile in tests.
i'm not sure you can draw a straight line from the billions spent in the Reagan years on Rail Guns and other things and these results. but who knows.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:42 pm
by Krimson Klaw
I think Kyoukan is a player hater. What can Canada claim...mounties?
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:51 pm
by Cartalas
kyoukan type-R wrote:Thank you Reagen. All those hundreds of billions of dollars spent on hare brained stupidity while people in your own country suffered the extremes of poverty were really well spent. Now you can shoot artillery out of the air in case Mexico starts to shell California.
Or we can blow up a nuke heading from lets say Russia to the US over Canada before it even hits our airspace. What a nice glow you will have Kyoukan.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:54 pm
by Krimson Klaw
Cartalas wrote:kyoukan type-R wrote:Thank you Reagen. All those hundreds of billions of dollars spent on hare brained stupidity while people in your own country suffered the extremes of poverty were really well spent. Now you can shoot artillery out of the air in case Mexico starts to shell California.
Or we can blow up a nuke heading from lets say Russia to the US over Canada before it even hits our airspace. What a nice glow you will have Kyoukan.
Who would waste a nuke on Canada?
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:56 pm
by Cartalas
re read it Krimson The nuke is on the way to the US from Russia Via Canada argggh nm
Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:57 pm
by Voronwë
we get our nikes from malaysia thx

Posted: November 8, 2002, 4:59 pm
by Cartalas
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:01 pm
by Aabidano
Cart wears those special Nikes with teh velcro

Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:03 pm
by Cartalas
Aabidano wrote:Cart wears those special Nikes with teh velcro

You sure did not mind when it only took a few quick secs to get out of them.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:11 pm
by Kylere
Actually the implications of this are heavy, I am sure it is not a primetime ready device yet, but focusing that intense of a beam of light has amazing implications. One of the technologies that remains interesting to me is solar sailing (using sheets of material to literally use solar energy to sail) this would allow a practical application, since you could hard mount a drive laser.
Or of course we could burn Coca-Cola onto the face of the moon.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:16 pm
by kyoukan
Krimson Klaw wrote:I think Kyoukan is a player hater. What can Canada claim...mounties?
A much smaller gap between the rich and the poor that leads to less crime that leads to a way smaller prison population and a generally more stable environment. Less poverty, a higher level of education. Also social programs that you only wish existed.
Not like this thread has FUCK ALL ANYTHING to do with any sort of US vs. Canada debate. Why you fucking morons keep bringing it up and then berating me for being anti American I guess only the very stupid among you know for sure.
But yeah RUSSIA MIGHT FIRE A NUKE AT YOU AND YOU SHOULD BE LUCKY YOU NOW HAVE A LASER TO SHOOT IT OUT THE SKY. HOW FUCKING 1988 OF YOU.
Now all you need is 15 of these things surrounding every single target of opportunity in the country, since artillery and missiles and generally fired in large groups to insure accuracy. Oh yeah you will also have to call the Kremlin and ask them nicely if they will give you exact time of launch and a map of the trajectories. They are your allies now and trying to get into NATO, so I'm sure if they decide to shower you with a few thousand ICBM's they will be more than happy to provide this information.
Meanwhile a few thousand arabs that have gotten into your country through various means are sitting around thinking up new ways to fucking blow you all to hell from the inside out. Way to spend that money, darth vader. I'm sure aldaran is terrified at your new giant laser.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:20 pm
by Cartalas
kyoukan type-R wrote:Krimson Klaw wrote:I think Kyoukan is a player hater. What can Canada claim...mounties?
A much smaller gap between the rich and the poor that leads to less crime that leads to a way smaller prison population and a generally more stable environment. Less poverty, a higher level of education. Also social programs that you only wish existed.
Sounds Like Communism

Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:22 pm
by Aabidano
http://lightcraft.meche.rpi.edu/Researc ... lsion.html
Neat stuff, saw something on discovery channel about this a while back. It made the oddest noise when taking off. Sort of like a miz of a (loud) kazoo and firecrackers going off.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:22 pm
by kyoukan
No it doesn't. Go back to watching Red Dawn and checking under your bed for Spetsnaz, McFly.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:27 pm
by Krimson Klaw
This was a test run for the laser, Kyoukan. You have to start somewhere. Or you can not try at all, kinda like your government. Then it's citizens can sit back and player hate 5 years from now when we have something their government only wishes they had. Next you'll tell me how this laser widens the hole in the ozone layer.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:28 pm
by Dreadnaught
i was wondering when they would admit to having one of thoes lasers
and cartalas , on behalf of all canadians , for that Communism crack... fuck you.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:30 pm
by Homercles
Didnt they make a movie about this? Real Genius. Val Kilmer at his best.
Now lets aim that laser at the Deans house and make a whole bunch of popcorn
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:30 pm
by Fallanthas
Why do any kind of R&D when it's easier to shit on those who push the envelope, then reap the benefits of their labor?
"Of what use is a newborn child?"
---Benjamin Franklin
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:30 pm
by Kilmoll the Sexy
If Kyoucan had done a proper Google search, she/it would find that this is something that may end up deployed in the middle east....most notably in the region of Israel. What exactly is wrong in spending money on a system that could conceivably stop missile strikes?
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:32 pm
by Krimson Klaw
but....the ozone layer! Why spend millions on defending the country when we have homeless, right kyoukan?
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:40 pm
by Krimson Klaw
I recieved this private message from Lexien....
"You know that robotic arm that the space shuttle uses??
Ohh we also improved the G-Suit (suit to withstand g-forces for air supersonic plane pilots)
Canadians can claim OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of stuff..
Technology speaking..
I could scrunge up a list just to prove to you that canadians did invent OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of things. "
Point taken. I respect those accomplishments.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:45 pm
by Cartalas
Dreadnaught wrote:i was wondering when they would admit to having one of thoes lasers
and cartalas , on behalf of all canadians , for that Communism crack... fuck you.

Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:45 pm
by kyoukan
YES BECAUSE I MENTION THE HOMELESS AND THE OZONE LAYER IN ALL MY THREADS, YOU FUCKING STUPID ASSHOLE!
Way to debate! I assure you I am on the edge of my seat anticipating what other fucking bald faced lies your pointless brain will concoct in another pathetic attempt to win whatever argument that I am not even arguing.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:46 pm
by Krimson Klaw
Rofl
Posted: November 8, 2002, 5:55 pm
by Lexien
Let's argue
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:01 pm
by Krimson Klaw
When the US gets new technology, some tend to take it personally for some reason. I could see if Iraqi citizens were pissed cause of it, but a Canadian getting pissed about it?
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:02 pm
by kyoukan
YEAH I AM JEALOUS OF YOUR GIANT LASER.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:06 pm
by Voronwë
kyoukan type-R wrote:YEAH I AM JEALOUS OF YOUR GIANT LASER.
do not be afraid of my giant throbbing laser gun
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:06 pm
by Krimson Klaw
ok, no wonder. Thanks for being honest at least.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:12 pm
by Adex_Xeda
From what I've read Neost many of these high powered lasers get their energy from an encased explosive detonation. That rapid change in energy gives a laser a short high-intensity burst. In other words they're not hooked to your power grid.
BTW V, I suspect it is easier to point at a moving shell than it is to guide a moving missile at it for colision.
Its much easier to watch a bird with your eyeball than it is to shoot a bullet at it.
That's the beauty of the laser concept. You don't have to lead your target. "Look" directly at it and squeeze off an energy burst.
BTW Kyo, over time, a laser will be a cheaper and more economical alternative to rockets. Less moving parts, more reusable parts.
In the long run its a cheaper, less wasteful alternative.
It's a good idea worth pursuing, especially today when every 2 bit dictator seems to be packing poison rockets.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:18 pm
by Voronwë
great point about the laser v. projectile accuracy thingamadoodle adex =).
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:20 pm
by Xouqoa
Now, if we can only find a way to mount this said "laser" on a shark's head. Then the "Alan Parsons Project" will be complete and we can destroy the Earth with a "Death Star".
Posted: November 8, 2002, 6:21 pm
by Canoe
aabad - that lightcraft is extremely interesting, my roommate in college (i graduated from RPI) wrote her graduate thesis on the work that she performed in creating the lightcraft (or the minilightcraft as one big enough to actually hold a person is still years off). I was always fascinated by the laser propulsion used in this.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 9:47 pm
by Legenae
kyoukan type-R wrote:Krimson Klaw wrote:I think Kyoukan is a player hater. What can Canada claim...mounties?
A much smaller gap between the rich and the poor that leads to less crime that leads to a way smaller prison population and a generally more stable environment. Less poverty, a higher level of education. Also social programs that you only wish existed.
You forgot to add better health care to your list.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 9:59 pm
by Neost
Wow, Canadians built the space shuttle arm?
I may be mistaken, and maybe they shipped the work elsewhere, but it was a big deal around here that BEI Electronics designed and built the shuttle arm....in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Perhaps you mean the space station arm.
Posted: November 8, 2002, 10:14 pm
by Legenae
Neost wrote:Wow, Canadians built the space shuttle arm?
Yes.
http://www.mdrobotics.ca/canadarm.htm
Posted: November 9, 2002, 12:25 am
by Dreadnaught
yes.. we built it , ever wonder why they have the canadian flag stamped on it? or the fact that its called the "canadarm?
and yes , we did design and build the station arm as well.
hmm
Posted: November 9, 2002, 1:47 am
by Xanupox
Did the Canadians also built the station's ass canister?
If so, then maybe you can all help shove the O-Canada role-model, Kyoukans, head into it.
I'm sure the compressed air trapped inside her cranium could fuel the whole damn galaxy for millenia to come.
-In other words, this laser kicks not only artillary's ass wide apart.. it is the first of the next generation of defense programs that will change the way landware if handled. Welcome to a great leap in tech.
(If we created a 100 mile buffer zone north of the US, would there even be more than 50 people left remaining to call themselves Candians? If you crackers love the "Big Red" so much then why pack in like rats along the US border.. plenty of cold north for you... go get it!
Re: hmm
Posted: November 9, 2002, 2:47 am
by Legenae
Xanupox wrote:
(If we created a 100 mile buffer zone north of the US, would there even be more than 50 people left remaining to call themselves Candians? If you crackers love the "Big Red" so much then why pack in like rats along the US border.. plenty of cold north for you... go get it!
What makes you think all of Canada lives at the US border? I am no where near the US border. I am in the "cold north."
Posted: November 9, 2002, 2:51 am
by kyoukan
there see xanupox agrees with you.
Posted: November 9, 2002, 3:33 am
by Atokal
I want a billion dollars or I will shoot you with my giant "laser gun"
It is called the Alan Parsons project. Oh yeah he was a Canadian.
Posted: November 9, 2002, 5:54 am
by Ebumar
Here here for guiness!
Posted: November 9, 2002, 6:00 am
by Xyun
To secure peace is to prepare for war.
I think the republican version of this idea is
To secure peace is to wage war.
Posted: November 9, 2002, 7:36 am
by VariaVespasa
Well, speaking as a canadian, I'd waste a nuke on Ottowa at least...

*Hugs*
Varia
Posted: November 9, 2002, 9:00 am
by Forthe
Cartalas wrote:kyoukan type-R wrote:A much smaller gap between the rich and the poor that leads to less crime that leads to a way smaller prison population and a generally more stable environment. Less poverty, a higher level of education. Also social programs that you only wish existed.
Sounds Like Communism

Less poverty, less crime, higher level of education and better social programs are sure signs of *evil* communists!
Fuck that shit. We need more poverty, crime, uneducated people and less social programs please!! I'm writing my MP right now so he can get to work on that.