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Author Topic: US boasts of laser weapon's 'plausible deniability'
500_Apples
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Babbler # 12684

posted 12 August 2008 10:35 AM      Profile for 500_Apples   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
http://tinyurl.com/57p7j7

US boasts of laser weapon's 'plausible deniability'
15:45 12 August 2008
NewScientist.com news service
David Hambling

quote:
An airborne laser weapon dubbed the "long-range blowtorch" has the added benefit that the US could convincingly deny any involvement with the destruction it causes, say senior officials of the US Air Force (USAF).

The Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) is to be mounted on a Hercules military transport plane. Boeing announced the first test firing of the laser, from a plane on the ground, earlier this summer.

Cynthia Kaiser, chief engineer of the US Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, used the phrase "plausible deniability" to describe the weapon's benefits in a briefing (powerpoint format) on laser weapons to the New Mexico Optics Industry Association in June.
...
A laser beam is silent and invisible. An ATL can deliver the heat of a blowtorch with a range of 20 kilometres, depending on conditions. That range is great enough that the aircraft carrying it might not be seen, especially at night.


I wonder what this would lead to. If true... admittedly the source has a history of sensationalism.

[ 12 August 2008: Message edited by: 500_Apples ]

[ 12 August 2008: Message edited by: 500_Apples ]


From: Montreal, Quebec | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged
N.Beltov
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Babbler # 4140

posted 12 August 2008 11:02 AM      Profile for N.Beltov   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Death to sidescroll! ETA - it's been fixed. Well done.

[ 12 August 2008: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]


From: Vancouver Island | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
500_Apples
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12684

posted 12 August 2008 11:05 AM      Profile for 500_Apples   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by N.Beltov:
Death to sidescroll!

Should be fixed now.


From: Montreal, Quebec | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged

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