The defense fighter moves in to a better position, and its array of onboard computers takes careful aim. Getting a lock in only a few seconds, the craft fires its rayguns, and the energy bolt leaps out towards it prey. Many kilometers away the beam finds its target, and the missile is instantly vaporized. The defense fighter confirms the successful strike and swoops around, continuing on its previous path while continuing to scan for other incoming threats.
Rayguns on fighters used used to be fodder for pulp science fiction, but now they are indeed tangible. In fact, Boeing has announced today that in a ground test of their future flying armament the weapon has been fired. Plans call for in-air testing of the weapon later this year.
Actually there are two projects involving the so called raygun, the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) and the Airborne Laser (ABL ). Both projects use chemical means to achieve a high delivery of weapon energy. The ATL, weighing in at 20 tons, can be fit to a C-130 transport for creating what Boeing has dubbed the "Laser Gunship". The project, if successful, makes for a silent weapon that can take out small targets such as individuals and communications towers from 18-20 km away. In fact, the other people (not the target) in the vicinity of an ATL strike might not even be aware that such a strike has happened. Now this is where technology differs from science fiction, since I am pretty certain that there was always a phzzzt sound whenever a raygun beam was visible.
Aloha from the Beach
