You might remember, a few weeks ago there was news about the “Real Genius” weapon. Well now different scientific news recalls another movie. CERN – the Conseil Européenne pour la Recherche Nucleaire – the same organization where the World Wide Web w…

So who’s going to bring the house full of popcorn?

I liked The Saint, as well.

ObisSister on August 14, 2008 at 8:58 AM

I thought that was a great movie.

As for the “laser”, I’d like to see them on the Predators.

And as for evidence on a body, what if the “laser” were used on a missle parked somewhere? or other munitions?

B-1B with Sniper pod drops GBU-38 in Afghanistan

The U.S. Air Force has now used its B-1B fitted with an ad­vanced targeting pod [LCTP (Laptop Controlled Targeting Pod)] in combat operations for the first time.

The service reports that a B-1B fitted with the Sniper la­ser targeting pod delivered a GBU-38 during a mission in Afghanistan Aug. 4. The bomber belonged to the 34th Ex­peditionary Bomb Squadron from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and is currently detached to the 379th Air Expedition­ary Wing.

The pod is used both to spot and laser designate tar­gets. Prior to use of the Sniper pod, B-1Bs relied on radars for near-precision bombings, but the electro-optical/infra­red sensor capability allows the crew to see more targets. Moreover, ground controllers can look at the image and help identify targets.

The project to fit the Lockheed Martin system to the B-1B fleet was launched in July 2006 through an urgent need re­quest from the field. Congress provided $24.7 million to get the integration done, according to the USAF. Arms control agreements had limited the use of external stores on the B-1B, so USAF officials had to get special approval for the upgrade they are making across a range of combat assets. USAF A-10s, F-15Es and F-16s also are using the Sniper, which was installed on the B-1B in April.

The Air Force said it had to modify the B-1B pylon to carry the 440-pound pod, a process that takes around 45 days and was done at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. All B-1Bs assigned to Afghanistan are supposed to receive the capability.

I suppose one could always claim spontaneous human combustion…

I can almost hear the weapons officer asking the pilot, “regular or extra crispy?”

Chris Knight: So, if there’s anything I can do for you, or, more to the point, to you, you just let me know.
Susan: Can you hammer a six-inch spike through a board with your penis?
Chris Knight: Not right now.
Susan: A girl’s gotta have her standards.

I envision this laser weapon being used against “homegrown” terrorists – you know, people who go around quoting the Constitution and such.

I remember a Star Trek TNG episode where aliens had come back in time to steal a weapon that could destroy a star which was hidden in the past by another time traveller. The entire thing is implausible, for once a doomsday weapon is made it’s only a matter of time before it is replicated by someone else and used. You cannot stop technological progress. And all of this goes to Steven Hawking’s idea that it’s best for man to colonize space so that all of our eggs are not in one basket on earth as it were. Eventually, demographic dispersion will be our only hope in the face of more powerful weapons.

“But – and I am only saying that because I care – there’s a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing. “

“What happened to Abu?!”

“I don’t know, Omar. One minute he was fine, the next minute he had a five inch wide whole burned clean through his torso. But I don’t think it has anything to do what that new American death ray.”

Sorry dude, Mythbusters busted that one! It was a great episode.
redshirt on August 14, 2008 at 12:15 P

Never happened, see redshirt above… They couldn’t concentrate the sunlight enough to set the wooden ship afire.

Anybody know what collie is talking about? Is the idea REALLY thousands of years old?

What about Archimedes and the stories of him burning an invading fleet using hundreds of polished sheilds to reflect sunlight?

“plausible deniability” is used to describe situations where those responsible for an event could plausibly claim to have had no involvement in it.

Gotta luv those Air Force, technical writers…!

Mitch’s Dad: “So…it can talk, right?”

Mitch: “Nooo…”

or this one

Dr. Hathaway: “Tell me – is there any chance Mitch is adopted?”

Mitch’s Mom: “Why no!”

Dr. Hathaway” “Amazing!”

WOW, you rock hon!

“…I’d not harp on the “assassination” aspect of it, perhaps something like “target specific” would work out better…” coldwarrior on August 14, 2008 at 9:08 AM

There’s nothin’ like a good euphemism.

I always liked “extreme prejudice” and “co-lateral damage” my own self.

dominigan on August 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM

I recall that if one correctly interprets the Hebrew text, Elijah accused Baal of not hearing the priests because he was on the toilet.

But I don’t think deniability is so much the issue as being able to precision target without placing a human targeter on the ground and in direct danger during the operation.

A cool weapon system must have a cool name… maybe “Sword of Allah” or something along those lines.

How long ’til the troofers trade in their tinfoil hats for mirrored umbrellas?

innominatus on August 14, 2008 at 12:24 PM

Yeah, they’ll say this weapon is what did Paul Wellstone.

“Ant Sizzler” would be a cool name.

How long ’til the troofers trade in their tinfoil hats for mirrored umbrellas?

http://www.ianai.net/jokes/forumpix/startrekhitit.jpg

To Cypher’s talking dog: How about the sun reflected death ray invented by Archimedes?

Tony737 on August 14, 2008 at 11:09 AM

Sorry dude, Mythbusters busted that one! It was a great episode.