Star Wars reality...

[yank51]

Star Wars weaponry is really here... I know there is far more going on than we even know about, but the NAVY has it down pat....:applause::applause::applause:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/04/navy-laser-weapon-fire-.html

[Allen]

Can I haz Tie fighter now then?

[stansdds]

I'll take an X-wing, better visibility to the sides. :icon_lol:

Interesting technology, to say the very least. This was the stuff of science fiction for many years.

[centuryseries]

The US Air Force has been testing an Airborne Laser system mounted onto a modified 747 for a while now - it's even succeeded in destroying a ballistic missile during it's boost phase!

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/

But it looks like it won't go into production due to it not being operationally viable.....

[Lionheart]

The coolest thing yet is the magnetic accellerator launcher for Battleships. The projectiles reach speeds that are so high, its near the speed of light, (look it up, yep..) and with the mass plus inertia, the projectiles can plow through many objects, not just one. Horrible damage to the target.

The amount of electricity needed for one launch though is equivalent to the power of all of new york, if I remember correctly.


Bill

[yank51]

What I found neat about this is the fact that they were able to hit the target at some distance (not sure exactly how far) and maintain target lock is spite of both the gun platform and the target were bobbing in the water. They did this using current technology. Probably something like what they have on the Abrams tank to keep the gum locked-on the target!! Pretty cool, and let's see if they now use it to get some of the pirates out in the open ocean...:running:

[stuartcox]

Lionheart[/LEFT];573959]The coolest thing yet is the magnetic
accellerator
launcher for Battleships. The projectiles reach speeds that are so high, its near the speed of light, (look it up, yep..) and with the mass plus inertia, the projectiles can plow through many objects, not just one. Horrible damage to the target.

The amount of electricity needed for one launch though is equivalent to the power of all of new york, if I remember correctly.


Bill

Almost the speed of light?
No known material could withstand the gravitational forces, and the ship firing such a weapon would end up hopping from the Atlantic to the Moon, pulling it's power supply cable behind it.
Jokes beside, the principal does work!
As a kid I built an electric canon, powered through a 240v mains cable, and shooting an
aluminium hollow projectile up to 10 metres.