2 ms·

Obviously total speculation, but it's the right size to be a flying speed-of-light weapon platform. USAF have been interested in such tech for a long time. Some

by Lammy 4y ago

Obviously total speculation, but it's the right size to be a flying speed-of-light weapon platform. USAF have been interested in such tech for a long time. Some fun links: - Directed Energy Directorate home page during the years 1999–2006: https://web.archive.org/web/20060831035044/http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/ https://web.archive.org/web/20060831035044/http://www.de.afr... - Directed Energy Directorate home page during the years 2009–2016: https://web.archive.org/web/20160428181404/http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_de/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160428181404/http://www.kirtla... - LASER Effects Test Facility fact sheet from 2002 showing a 50-kilowatt CO² LASER setting a test target on fire: https://web.archive.org/web/20070315131556/http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/factsheets/letf.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20070315131556/http://www.de.afr...

nradov 4y ago
It seems small for any sort of directed energy weapon with a useful power output. There wouldn't be enough capacity for a big generator and heat radiators.
- Tostino 4y ago
  Right, short of a small reactor onboard, it seems unlikely to be able to store the energy or power densities required while in flight. Obviously there may be some unknown breakthrough that allows it...but I'm skeptical.