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Message
USMC Will "Absolutely" Put Lasers on Its F-35s.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:02 pm
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:02 pm
quote:LINK
t's been nearly two years since we first caught wind of a new project, sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to put laser guns on warplanes. Two years since "the Pentagon's mad scientists department" announced they had hired Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) to develop a means to "counteract the effects of turbulence caused by the protrusion of a turret from an aircraft's fuselage," and permit a fighter jet to fire a laser weapon with precision.
Two years later, the U.S. military has still not given up on its dream.
Baby steps...
Last year, we updated you on the military's decision to begin installation of laser guns on Lockheed Martin AC-130 gunships by 2020. The theory then was that a 200 kilowatt laser canon wouldn't take up much more room than a standard issue M102 howitzer -- which the AC-130 is already equipped with. And the Allison engines on the AC-130 put out plenty of juice that could power a high-energy laser. And so, with just a little rejiggering, the Air Force thought it should be possible to switch out the howitzer, and replace it with a laser cannon.
If that works out well, then the Air Force would see about shrinking the laser down in size, and perhaps putting it aboard a smaller warplane. And now we learn that the Marine Corps is on board with this plan as well.
Followed by a giant leap
As website PopularMilitary.com revealed last week, the Marine Corps has plans to install laser weapons on F-35 fighter jets -- indeed, that it is "absolutely" committed to doing so.
As with the Air Force, the Marines' initial intention is to mount laser weapons aboard large planes such as the KC-130 (an armed version of Lockheed's C-130 Hercules, similar to the Air Force's AC-130). But "as soon as we could miniaturize them," says USMC Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, the Corps would plan to begin installing lasers aboard F-35s, Cobra attack helicopters, and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft as well.
The reason: Economics.
Projectile-based weapons -- be they guns, missiles, or cannons -- imply by necessity ordnance to fire from them. That ordnance must be transported to the battlefront (which costs money), loaded aboard a plane (which costs space), and then carried in flight (which costs fuel ... which in turn costs both money and space). In contrast, a laser is powered by the airplane's own engines, and its own fuel load. While that fuel certainly costs money, it's so efficient at creating destructive energy that even today, laser weapons are estimated to cost only about "a dollar-a-shot" to operate.
And that's a whole lot cheaper than a missile.
I'll believe it when I see it, but that could be pretty freaking awesome.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:07 pm to WeeWee
Won't be long before these lasers are put on police vehicles in "randomly" selected (AKA predominantly black) neighborhoods. Smh
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:10 pm to WeeWee
Do they work in rain, clouds, and fog?
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:12 pm to Grim
quote:
Won't be long before these lasers are put on police vehicles in "randomly" selected (AKA predominantly black) neighborhoods. Smh
I knew that was coming.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:13 pm to Grim
3rd response and the thread is already derailed. Thanks dude.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:13 pm to Grim
I recognize your name on here and I think every single post of yours has pertained to race in some form or fashion. From the LSU QB battle to the presidential election to futuristic laser cannons mounted on jets, you got it covered. I just want to offer praises and thanks for bringing that important element to every topic discussed on this site.
This post was edited on 9/11/16 at 7:14 pm
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:16 pm to WeeWee
When do they get photon torpedos?
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:21 pm to WeeWee
Well, the Marines already fricked up the F35 so why not add lasers too?
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:49 pm to WeeWee
I still don't get how a laser can replace a 30mm howitzer shell. Does shite just blow up when the laser hits?
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:51 pm to Grim
quote:
Won't be long before these lasers are put on police vehicles in "randomly" selected (AKA predominantly black) neighborhoods. Smh
Hope so, eliminate the trash
This post was edited on 9/11/16 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 9/11/16 at 7:53 pm to Grim
quote:
Won't be long before these lasers are put on police vehicles in "randomly" selected (AKA predominantly black) neighborhoods. Smh
Well something has to keep those idiots from killing each other.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:13 pm to SG_Geaux
quote:
Well something has to keep those idiots from killing each other.
That is accomplished by kneeling during the National Anthem.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:27 pm to Mung
quote:
When do they get photon torpedos?
Proton Torpedoes
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:36 pm to WeeWee
I suddenly got the urge to watch Real Genius.
Posted on 9/11/16 at 8:37 pm to meeple
quote:
Proton Torpedoes
He was right the first time its photon torpedoes.
"Photon torpedoes were warp-capable tactical matter/antimatter weapons commonly deployed aboard starships and starbases by various organizations. Photon torpedoes, often abbreviated as "photons", were called Pu'DaH dak cha in Klingonese."
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