BAE Systems is developing an anti-pirate laser. At the moment, it just dazzle's would-be hijackers, but perhaps it will pave the way for something a bit more incendiary.
8 comments:
eon
said...
Take laser, increase output to 400kW/sec, apply to pirate boat's fuel tank from 2000 meters.
My favorite solution too (other than a 20mm CIWS or, better yet, a 30mm Goalkeeper), but unfortunately outside of the range of "practical politics".
The handy thing about a laser is that you can vary the output. Keep it on 20kW/sec and rapid-pulse "dazzle" mode when it's being inspected by the Guardians of Multicultural Niceness in port. Then, once you're at sea, switch it to Energy Pulse Projection Kill mode. All it takes is a rheostat and a couple of extra IC chips in the circuit.
And yes, Tom, a 50 cal. would be more effective. But it's not a laser, and thus has fundamental flaws (i.e. it's not a laser).
This, and the Advanced Tactical Laser (that air-to-ground one they're testing out, mounted to an AC-130), are just another indicator of the fact that we are officially living in the Future.
Unless it's one with exactly the right reflectivity spectrum (matching the laser's output wavelength) it won't reflect enough of the laser's heat energy to prevent ablation. Which, with a rapidly-pulsed laser, tends to result in the mirror "failing"- explosively.
Winchell Chung goes into this in detail on his Atomic Rockets website;
http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/
Warning; if you're a "hard SF" fan, it is a major-league time-waster; nuts-and-bolts SF heaven.
8 comments:
Take laser, increase output to 400kW/sec, apply to pirate boat's fuel tank from 2000 meters.
Boom.
Problem solved.
cheers
eon
What Eon said, and I hope someone is developing a proper sound system to go with it that makes a cool "BZZZZZAPPPP!" noise.
You want incendiary? Ma Deuce with a belt of tracers and your order is filled,
Tom;
My favorite solution too (other than a 20mm CIWS or, better yet, a 30mm Goalkeeper), but unfortunately outside of the range of "practical politics".
The handy thing about a laser is that you can vary the output. Keep it on 20kW/sec and rapid-pulse "dazzle" mode when it's being inspected by the Guardians of Multicultural Niceness in port. Then, once you're at sea, switch it to Energy Pulse Projection Kill mode. All it takes is a rheostat and a couple of extra IC chips in the circuit.
cheers
eon
"Energy Pulse Projection Kill mode"
...SET LA-SERS TO MAXI-MUM EX-TERMI-NATION!!!
And yes, Tom, a 50 cal. would be more effective. But it's not a laser, and thus has fundamental flaws (i.e. it's not a laser).
This, and the Advanced Tactical Laser (that air-to-ground one they're testing out, mounted to an AC-130), are just another indicator of the fact that we are officially living in the Future.
Ummm... but what if the baddies have a mirror?
Ironmistress;
Unless it's one with exactly the right reflectivity spectrum (matching the laser's output wavelength) it won't reflect enough of the laser's heat energy to prevent ablation. Which, with a rapidly-pulsed laser, tends to result in the mirror "failing"- explosively.
Winchell Chung goes into this in detail on his Atomic Rockets website;
http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/
Warning; if you're a "hard SF" fan, it is a major-league time-waster; nuts-and-bolts SF heaven.
cheers
eon
Ironmistress:
Now I'm imagining somali pirate-boats plastered with mirrors like a nautical disco-ball.
It is quite difficult to be fearsome and fabulous at the same time, I think. :D
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