Re: Missile Defence, the live version

["Dude VanWinkle" <dudevanwinkle () gmail com>]

On 7/13/06, Valdis.Kletnieks () vt edu <Valdis.Kletnieks () vt edu> wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:28:53 EDT, Dude VanWinkle said:
>
> > Setting up a protective "bubble" around a typical airport might cost
> > $25 million to $30 million once enough systems were installed, said
> > Mike McVey, vice president of directed energy systems at Northrop's
> > Space Technology business unit.
>
> Of course, any terrorist who isn't a *TOTAL* idiot will notice the
> $30M in construction. ;)
>
> Possible malfunctions:
>
> 1) It crispy-critters an incoming Cessna with a broken transponder.
>
> 2) While tracking something coming in low, its beam sweeps across
> a building or other "didn't want to do that" on a hillside a few
> miles off.
>
> A pilot friend checked the approaches for LAX, and as far as 10 nautical
> miles out, plane on final approach is at around 3,500 feet (and 3 degree
> slope rest of the way in, if you want to figure other distances). At 5nm,
> you're at 1,900 feet.  A missle at 500 feet/sec is there in 4 seconds.
>
> That's not a lot of time to get it right.  And if you only have a second or
> two of beam time, it's gotta be high power.  Just the sort of thing you
> don't want firing by itself in a metropolitan area. :)


You could probably configure the lasers to diffuse after they exit the
permeter. Also, it doesnt have to be a metal cutting laser, just one
that will heat up the missile enough to cause detonation.

Still,... LawnChair Larry beware!
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