"Directed-Energy Pulse" Weaponry....coming to a war near you.

[Dover]

08:39 AM Jul. 10, 2005 PT

ARLINGTON, Virginia -- For years, the U.S. military has explored a new kind of firepower that is instantaneous, precise and almost inexhaustible: beams of electromagnetic energy. "Directed-energy" pulses can be throttled up or down depending on the situation, much like the phasers on Star Trek could be set to kill or merely stun.

Such weapons are now nearing fruition. But logistical issues have delayed their battlefield debut -- even as soldiers in Iraq encounter tense urban situations in which the nonlethal capabilities of directed energy could be put to the test.

"It's a great technology with enormous potential, but I think the environment's not strong for it," said James Jay Carafano, a senior fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation who blames the military and Congress for not spending enough on getting directed energy to the front. "The tragedy is that I think it's exactly the right time for this."

The hallmark of all directed-energy weapons is that the target -- whether a human or a mechanical object -- has no chance to avoid the shot because it moves at the speed of light. At some frequencies, it can penetrate walls....>>>

http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,68152,00.html

[rwenos]

1. Sounds Evil but Kewl

Now c'mon -- don't you REALLY think the radio-controlled drone aircraft are top-drawer?

Our tax dollars at work. Might as well enjoy 'em.

[Moochy]

2. The Tragedy? more like the IRONY

"The tragedy is that I think it's exactly the right time for this."

Its a tragedy this ULTRA DEATH RAY isnt going to be able to kill people, a real gosh darn tragedy.

:eyes:

[punpirate]

3. Very expensive stuff...

... and the military countermeasures are potentially quite cheap.

Sounds like a lot of stuff that's going to find its way into police crowd control technique very soon.

[lvx35]

4. Yeah, goes through wall's sometimes?

I wonder if theirs some materials that just downright reflect it. My tinfoil hat may come in REALY handy pretty soon! :)

[wallwriter]

5. The tragedy is that what we really need to do

is stop people from the old-fashioned practice of just blowing shit up. Is a new super ultra mega death ray going to make any damn difference?