I wonder if the system can double as an orbital weapons platform with global strike capability. They are talking about eventually scaling to megawatts of laser energy being fired into orbit then relayed back down to a target on the ground.
It's kinda weird seeing US military commanders pushing for tech to eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels. They are careful to avoid mentioning that this system is to replace the need for diesel generators at forward operating bases or jet fuel for drones. I guess that's because US political leadership has a different opinion on being dependent on fossil fuel.
I can’t wait for rolling blackouts because a nearby base needs to power the wunderwaffe it’s beaming energy to in the latest brushfire war.
Can't wait for them to be off target and start actual bushfires. I keep thinking about all the claims that China was starting wildfires in the US using space lasers. Every accusation is a confession blah blah blah.
I genuinely have no clue if modern laser technology could do that, I’m sure they’ll try.
Unfortunately it's already possible with commercially available lasers. Which is why the US military has been giving Lockheed and various commerical laser manufacturers money to convert existing 100KW - 1MW fiber lasers used in manufacturing to military weapon versions.
Few different people did the math after the US media stuff about Chinese space lasers and it is even possible with off the shelf commercial fiber lasers that easily fit within a medium sized satellite using photovoltaic solar power. Interesting watch if you can tolerate smug overeducated New Hampshire libertarian vibe: https://youtube.com/watch?v=-MVs37rxJL0
I guess the real question then is whether or not it's easier for them to temporarily use a logistics asset or throw some gas and a lighter on a drone.
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
I think it would be easier to do from the ground or low air than from space, since from space you have a whole atmosphere dilluting your beam
There is of course a drawback, and in this case it's the fact that you're throwing a fair amount of energy away to gain that flexibility. You lose some – maybe around 20% – when you convert electricity to light in your laser. You lose more – maybe 50% – when you convert that laser back to electricity at the receiver.
love 2 lose three-fourths of my total energy supply
and give away my receiver aircraft's position to anybody with a satellite
and accidentally a passenger plane that was in the path
I'm not one of those "I fucking love science" nerds but didn't Nicola Tesla promise to build this back in the day?
Also it is very funny to see military boot heads come around to progressive positions simply because the alternative makes killing people more difficult.
This is different, Tesla wanted to transmit power wirelessly omnidirectionally, whereas my understanding of this is essentially an orbital platform which sends a concentrated energy beam to a platform on earth's surface
I expect they don't have any real plans to move away from fossil fuels. The magnitude of electricity is just not there to fully replace fuels. They're probably looking at this as a way to recharge elctronics and other battery powered stuff. Iirc they've been having issues with expanding electronic capabilites on infrantry units due to the weight requirement of batteries.
Yup. Lots of new toys they have developed but can't make use of. The current proposals for new power systems for infantry seem mostly based around universally compatible lithium ion battery packs and photovoltaic cells to recharge them in the field but that creates the issue of not being able to recharge during poor weather or nighttime. Being able to put in a request to have your photovoltaic cells energized by an orbital laser would fix that reliability issue.
There are also the winged and airship drones they developed that are supposed to stay above the battlefield indefinitely using solar panels. Being able to energize their photovoltaic panels during night or bad weather might make them more viable.
Although they do seem serious about the plans to beam power to forward operating bases that currently need constant deliveries from vulnerable fuel trucks to refill their generators. Being able to eliminate the fuel powered generators and instead give them photovoltaic panels that can be energized rain or shine, day or night— would eliminate a supply line vulnerability. The proposed Abrams main battletank replacement is hybrid electric for the same reason, on top of silent mode it means less fuel trucks needed and the ability to not use any fuel when idling or making maneuvers of only a few miles.
I misunderstood the meaning of forward operating base. That sounds doable, if anybody could it's the us military.
Being able to put in a request to have your photovoltaic cells energized by an orbital laser would fix that reliability issue.
Hate to admit it but it'd be sick as fuck.
