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design219 · Dec 13, 2007, 10:22 PM

Defense Tech: Laser Gunship Revealed

I had no idea anything like this was really practical. It's not a Star Trek Phaser, but this could be a great military tool.

BLAZE_MkIV · Dec 13, 2007, 11:20 PM

It'll work just fine as long as your within AAA range. Atmospheric attenuation is not a lasers friend.

design219 · Dec 13, 2007, 11:52 PM

Uh, yeah, I was going to say that.

monkeybrain · Dec 14, 2007, 01:23 AM

design219, this is not a tool. The military don't have tools, they have weapons, these weapons are used to kill people. Don't try and make it sound less than it is.

rickey939 · Dec 14, 2007, 01:39 AM

Dr. Evil has this.

Buckaroo · Dec 14, 2007, 02:17 AM

Originally Posted by monkeybrain

design219, this is not a tool. The military don't have tools, they have weapons, these weapons are used to kill people. Don't try and make it sound less than it is.

It may not be strong enough to kill them, but it will give them one heck of a sunburn. It might also cause their clothing to burst into flames.

monkeybrain · Dec 14, 2007, 03:59 AM

So I guess we can expect nations around the world to begin stockpiling sunblock.

badidea · Dec 14, 2007, 04:09 AM

...or mirrors!

Buckaroo · Dec 14, 2007, 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by badidea

...or mirrors!

Yes they could dress up like a disco ball. HA!!!!!!!

That would be funny. Seeing a bunch of Taliban running around in little square mirrors.

Buckaroo · Dec 14, 2007, 04:19 AM

Here you go, they would just have to make it longer with sleeves and a big mirror ball for their head.

Disco Taliban.

Buckaroo · Dec 14, 2007, 04:21 AM

With mirrors pasted all over.

moonmonkey · Dec 14, 2007, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by BLAZE_MkIV

It'll work just fine as long as your within AAA range. Atmospheric attenuation is not a lasers friend.

Its absolutely ludicrous they put those teeny batteries in something like this, come on Boeing!

Dakar the Fourth · Dec 14, 2007, 09:43 AM

I prefer the Airbus Laser Gunship.

design219 · Dec 14, 2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth

I prefer the Airbus Laser Gunship.

I'll have to give it a wink.

osiris · Dec 14, 2007, 10:19 AM

Pfft. Been there, done that.

Hey Boeing - get a real frickin laser.

ghporter · Dec 14, 2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by monkeybrain

design219, this is not a tool. The military don't have tools, they have weapons, these weapons are used to kill people. Don't try and make it sound less than it is.

Yep. You're right. But please don't imply that guys in uniform generally just go running around killing random people-especially with a complex weapon system like this. It's not a rifle. Any airborne weapon platform is controlled through several means, including the aircraft commander, the wing commander, and the numbered air force commander-which means that some very serious, very conservative decision makers have to agree that the use of this platform is both warranted and appropriate. Further, there aren't a lot of targets that would be best attacked with this instead of the AC-130 Spectre (which has more firepower than you might imagine, including 40mm cannons and high-rate-of-fire 7.62mm machine guns and 20mm cannons. The Spectre is exceptionally accurate and effective.

Yes, I do get testy when people imply that our military is generally a bunch of gun-happy, blood thirsty idiots. Why do you ask?

Dakar the Fourth · Dec 14, 2007, 11:16 AM

I know someone who's not getting a Christmas Card from the Porter Household.

olePigeon · Dec 14, 2007, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by BLAZE_MkIV

It'll work just fine as long as your within AAA range.

Yeah, they shoulda used 9v batteries.

osiris · Dec 14, 2007, 02:14 PM

I think if you crack open a 9V you'll find 6 AAAs. So everybody can be happy.

moonmonkey · Dec 15, 2007, 02:01 AM

I did that joke and no one laughed, maybe my delivery was wrong.

cjrivera · Dec 15, 2007, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Dr. Evil has this.

No, he has ill-tempered mutated sea bass...
He couldn't get sharks with frikkin laser beams attached to their heads, much less a plane like this.

brassplayersrock² · Dec 15, 2007, 09:59 PM

how much money do these things cost to build? it does look cool though.

ghporter · Dec 15, 2007, 11:02 PM

It's apparently built on a C-130 airframe, so the added cost would be the weapon itself and its fire direction system. Not that C-130s are exactly inexpensive, but we seem to have a ton of 'em, and it's common practice to repurpose established airframes. Example: C-135 -> KC-135 -> RC-135 and EC-135. The -135, I should point out, was the prototype from with the Boeing 707 was developed...that's a very long and effective track record. The -130 is similarly long-lived and rugged.

Cold Warrior · Dec 15, 2007, 11:12 PM

Rugged indeed. Lots of fun dropping thousands of feet in a few seconds as it banks and dives onto a nighttime landing strip in hostile territory.

Eriamjh · Dec 16, 2007, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Dr. Evil has this.

Sharks with frickin' lasers on the heads.

Weezer · Dec 16, 2007, 07:57 PM

Gather up all the popcorn you can find!