We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Defensive lasers for aircraft

Here is a fascinating teaser for a Janes subscription only article:

US military pinpoints date for HELLADS ground test. The United States military told Jane’s it is on schedule for a 2010 ground test of a lightweight high-energy laser that could be installed on a tactical aircraft to destroy missiles, rockets and mortars. The laser, known as the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS), is being developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and General Atomics, along with several other contractors.

It is all coming together about as I expected, although perhaps a little faster than I really believed.

4 comments to Defensive lasers for aircraft

  • The -A (and I think -C) model JSFs have two interesting features. Because they lack the -Bs lift fan they’ve got a nice lickle space to put stuff and secondly they’ve got a lot of electrical generating capacity.

    I predict interesting applications.

  • Eric

    They’re going to put a laser that powerful in tactical aircraft? Does that really mean strike fighters like F-35, or are they considering military variants of commercial jets to be “tactical”?

  • Bogdan of Australia

    It doesn’t matter Eric. As long as they can stop a resurgent TOTALITARIAN COLLECTIVISM anything goes. At the moment looks like even a LASER won’t be able to achieve that…

  • Jon

    So when can we expect star destroyers?