http://tinyurl.com/57p7j7US 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 ]