Flying laser cannon developed

[Barb]

The title says it all. But if you want more, here's the article:
http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2008-03/how-it-works-airborne-laser-cannon

Technically, it's the "Advanced Tactical Laser" but 'flying laser cannon' sounds so much cooler.

 

[Coffee]

in b4 4AIDS.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Reagan would be proud.

 

[betagold]

This is the best thing ever in the history of awesome. See that? I need to speak idiot in order to convey the sheer awe I have for this kind of development. That said, who wants in on the "How Long Till This Fails" pool? I'll put my money on 4-5 months.

 

[Not Brainless]

Awesome!

 

[Rayne]

That said, who wants in on the "How Long Till This Fails" pool? I'll put my money on 4-5 months.

This isn't fail if they could somehow mount them to frikin' sharks.

 

[the gadfly]

Old news. Besides the laser is mounted in a Boeing 747, not a C130 as described in the article. The mechanism is too big to fit in anything else.

The better question is: Since it involves a chemically stimulated laser, how many shots can it take? How often? Assuming every shot counts?