U.S. successfully tests airborne laser on missile

[Pens1566]

How long until Obama cuts this program?

Can't happen soon enough.

Giant waste of money for something that is only feasible during initial launch phase, and then only in controlled test environment. Its highly impractical (logistically) for a BM defense system to concentrate on the launch phase.

 

[Kirby]

Another reason to go back to the moon. We could put a super powerful laser on there and have our own Death Star. :awe:

 

[K1052]

I think we are. Can't remember which one (START?) at the moment.

SALT/START/SORT all addressed limits on warheads and their delivery systems. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits emplacement of nuclear weapons on the moon or in earth orbit.

A space based laser system or kinetic bombardment platform would be considered conventional and is technically legal since neither are a nuclear weapon delivery system.

 

[Thump553]

We are almost thirty years into this program (started in 1983 by Ronald Raygun). We have spent at least 120 BILLION dollars on it to date and are currently spending at a rate in excess of 10 billion per year on it. The result to date-we are finally able to hit one of our own targets under carefully controlled, ideal conditions-once, after numerous failures.

It cost us far less-about 25 billion-to put man on the moon.

If this wasn't a military program the righties would be beside themselves screaming wasteful government spending. And with good reason-its time to stop throwing big money down this rathole.

 

[StageLeft]

kinetic bombardment platform

That just sounds awesome, the name. Awesome!

"Deploying KBPs 4 & 6!"

 

[KingGheedora]

How long until this technology becomes advanced enough to be placed onto satellites allowing anything above the earths surface to be vaporized at a moments notice?

ION Cannon Ready