Lockheed Martin's New Killer Laser Puts Israel's Iron Dome To Shame [Video]

[xchrom]

http://www.businessinsider.com/lockheed-martin-adam-area-defense-anti-munitions-laser-defense-2012-12

***SNIP

Here's how it works: Imagine being shacked up with a handful of others at a Forward Operating Base, way, way into enemy territory beyond any immediate help, behind some makeshift stone walls and plywood. Some are sleeping, while others stand watch using night vision to leach signs of danger from dark. When the attack comes it starts with shoulder launched rockets — but rather than just seeing the flash and yelling for cover, the troops are protected by Area Defense Anti-Munitions.


Reinforcing walls at Marines Forward Operating Base Reinforcement and the ADAM unit

Called ADAM, the small white trailer with the big laser takes its cue from radar blanketing the area three miles out. The radar has already kicked the laser awake when the guys on watch saw the flash. By the time they're diving for cover and warning their buddies, the ADAM has locked onto the rocket and is burning it out of the sky from over a mile away.

After keeping everyone from getting blown up, ADAM would then afford troops the time to coordinate their counter-attack where even more lives would be saved.

That's the idea anyway, though there would be countless other uses for the technology. The video below released by Lockheed yesterday shows the ADAM making short work of a tethered rocket from about a mile away.

[DetlefK]

1. It can destroy a rocket, but can it hit a rocket?

Hitting a target on a zip-line is easier than hitting a random incoming(!) object within fractions of a second.

[hack89]

4. A laser simplifies the fire control solution

Last edited Wed Dec 19, 2012, 12:02 PM - Edit history (1)

the speed of light means you don't have to lead the target that much.

[DetlefK]

5. That's not what I meant.

First, you have to measure the incoming object and to recognize it beyond a reasonable doubt as a missile (or else ADAM will be shooting birds left and right). This has to happen within fractions of a second.

Second, you have point the laser at the missile within fractions of a second.
AND if the missile is 30cm across and the distance is 1km, you have to do so with an accuracy of arctan(0,3/1000)=0,017°. (That's maybe feasible for absolute high-tech, but only after laborous calibration that can take hours to weeks, not when the setup just got shaken during its transport to the middle of nowhere.) AND you have to reach this accuracy again within fractions of a second.

Third, for a maximum of efficiency you have to focus your laser on the missile. To do that, you need its distance and you need it really quick.

[hack89]

6. We solved those problems decades ago

CIWS is a perfect example - it has been shooting down high speed missiles for 30 years. It is now used to shoot down rockets and mortar shells.

All they have done is replace a gun with a laser.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. I like lockheed's Millenium Gun better.

Much more tangible in it' efforts to stop martars and missles.

[Renew Deal]

3. If it can work on rocket, can it also work on an airplane?

And should that scare you?