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| Science & Technology |
| SpecOPS Airborne Laser |
| 2017-03-05 |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #7 They have it in a C130. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2017-03-05 22:06 |
| #6 Boeing airborne laser (man! where would I be without the wiki?) |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2017-03-05 13:51 |
| #5 The answer Lonzo is "A LOT". The problem with lasers is they lose power the farther they go as the beam will diffuse slightly and the particulates in the atmosphere, and the atmosphere itself will absorb the engergy. Enough power to cut steel and close range, no problem. Enough power to cut through metal at 50km away... you need a huge amount of power to do so. Currently we use chemical energy to generate lasers and chemicals are heavy. Most of the 747 they tested this with was chemical vats to generate the 10kW they needed for it and they could only fire it a few times before the chemicals were depleted. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2017-03-05 13:01 |
| #4 How much power does a laser welder need? Hook six laser welders up and you have a weapon. Get a couple of Honda generators .... |
| Posted by: Lonzo Forkbeard3852 2017-03-05 12:47 |
| #3 Sooo...you're already flying. Mount a windmill on the fuselage. Presto! Power supply! Where do I collect my Bill Nye Science Award? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2017-03-05 11:57 |
| #2 The problem is not mounting a big laser on an aircraft. The Army (yes, the Army) has been flying the Airborne Laser Adjunct Aircraft since Reagan was Pres. Anti missile defense research. The problem is the power supply. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2017-03-05 11:41 |
| #1 If it is good enough for the navy then why not put it on a spectre gun ship? Rail guns and lasers, welcome to the 21st century. |
| Posted by: Gloluger Bonaparte5274 2017-03-05 08:50 |