Fergie's Tech Blog

Defense Tech: DHS Eyes Frickin' High-Powers Lasers for Protecting Commercial Flights

Image source: PopSci.com / John MacNeill

This summer’s war between Lebanon and Israel was the most recent demonstration of the deadly threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles. Lebanese Hezbollah fighters armed with portable rocket launchers fired more than 3,700 missiles into Israeli cities during the 34-day conflict. With a growing number of such weapons, referred to in military-speak as MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) showing up on the black market, U.S. officials are becoming increasingly concerned about their risk to commercial aircraft. That’s why the Department of Homeland Security is nearly doubling its spending on countermeasure research to $110 million this year.

One particularly notable technology under consideration is a laser called Skyguard that can make mincemeat out of a missile in a matter of seconds, according to its developer, defense contractor Northrop Grumman, which adapted the laser from a larger militarized version. Packed inside a unit the size of three school buses and stationed close to the runways, Skyguard is essentially a giant laser gun with brains. It focuses a powerful energy beam with pinpoint accuracy on a missile, heating up the explosives inside to make them detonate before reaching their target.

posted by Fergie @ 12/05/2006 05:45:00 PM