2 ms·
Laser weapons appear to be advancing rapidly. Once we get to the single digit MW power range, MAD will deteriorate as the ICBM becomes a non-viable nuclear deli
by coppsilgold 10mo ago
Laser weapons appear to be advancing rapidly. Once we get to the single digit MW power range, MAD will deteriorate as the ICBM becomes a non-viable nuclear delivery mechanism.
What effect would that have? Will nukes start getting used in wars? Will we see deployment of multi ton NEFP[1] warheads that can strike targets with nuclear-propelled kinetics?
[1] <https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2017/05/nuclear-efp-and-heat.html https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2017/05/nuclear-efp-and-heat.ht...>
- Waterluvian 10mo ago> Once we get to the single digit MW power range, MAD will deteriorate as the ICBM becomes a non-viable nuclear delivery mechanism. Requires a mountain of evidence and argument.
- coppsilgold 10mo agoThe best public arguments I have read: https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-laser-revolution-part-i-megawatt.html https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-laser-revolution-pa... https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-laser-revolution-part-ii-ground-sea.html https://toughsf.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-laser-revolution-pa...
- bawolff 10mo agoWe are nowhere near that point yet. Small rockets are totally different weapons then ICBM.
- tguvot 10mo agothere was interview with guy from rafael who was head of iron beam project. it looks like they have some plans for dealing with icbm. airborne if I understood correctly
- bawolff 10mo agoI guess airborne would be easier to intercept in their earlier phase before they go super fast, but then you have to have air assets in the right place at the right time. At their terminal phase icbms go at mach 25, which is pretty hard to shine a laser on for an extended period of time.
- tguvot 10mo agoto deploy it in space can also be an option