Despite promise, energy-beam weapons still missing from action

[norml]

Despite promise, energy-beam weapons still missing from action



By BRIAN BERGSTEIN
AP Technology Writer

July 09, 2005



For years, the U.S. military has explored a new kind of firepower that is instantaneous, precise and virtually 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.


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On the Net:

Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate: https://


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http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050709/APN/507090768&cachetime=3&template=dateline

[Ian David]

1. Can we test the prototypes on The Heritage Foundation?

[Endangered Specie]

2. ...and I thought I watched too much Star Trek.

[KamaAina]

3. You didn't think these sickos were gonna stop with Tasers, did you?

If so, you were sadly mistaken.

I particularly like the weapon that basically microwaves your skin so that you will stop whatever you are doing, like defending your homeland from a monstrous insurgency, or quite possibly, exercising your First Amendment rights to protest said insurgency in its homeland. :scared:

Plus, it could have the perfect Orwellian name, like the "Peacekeeper" missile: the "Outdoor Tanning Salon". :grr:

[mbperrin]

4. Or "Friendly Sunbeams".

Yep, gotta have a totally wacked name!

[Voltaire99]

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

Well, then strap one to your ample ass, Jimbob, and go waddle around Fallujah.

[Robeson]

6. "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."

Yes, please, lets just give every remaining goddamn dime of our tax dollars to the military. They're s-o-o-o starved of funds as it is. Fuck us - the people - the Pentagon needs more weapon systems, lets get more money to them, pronto!

[GHOSTDANCER]

7. DoE Seeks Star Trek Phasers For A-Plants

The Department of Energy is turning to old Star Trek phasers to protect its 103 civilian nuclear plants.

Energy weapons capable of harmlessly stunning intruders are being developed and should be in general use by 2008. But many experts warn they will be inadequate and unnecessary for the real security dangers nuclear plant guards would face.

U. S scientists have unveiled details of a project that aims to develop Star Trek-style ray guns that could keep "security adversaries" out of DoE nuclear sites, the vnu.com web-site in the Netherlands reported this week.

<http://www.spacedaily.com/news/terrorwar-05zk.html>

[stickdog]

8. "I think the environment's not strong for it."

Translation: It's too soon after Wellstone's plane crash to unveil the full capabilities of these babies.