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In futurist novels they have lots of tech that hasn't as yet come to pass, and they often underestimate a lot of technology that has shown up, especially vis-a-vis communication. But, there are two things that are in every story. 1) Video phones, which we now have and are quite common, and 2) Laser guns. Here comes the latter! DoD actually tried this back in the eighties as part of Reagan's Star Wars initiative. They failed miserably, but laser tech has come a long way in 25 years.
sounds_sound · 4400 days ago · link ·
It always feels strange saying that a weapon is cool. I come from a family of engineers - my Dad and his two brothers all graduated with engineering degrees from Ohio State. Dad went on to work for a printing company but my two uncles moved to Cali and started developing weapons for the military. I remember them visiting,hearing little bits about their work, most of which was classified, and even then I felt a bit conflicted. Lasers are just to awesome to resist. I can't imagine what Oppenheimer must've been feeling...
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thenewgreen · 4400 days ago · link ·
- The dream of sailors, nerds and sailor-nerds everywhere is on the verge of coming true, senior Navy technologists swear. Within four years, they claim they’ll have a working prototype of a laser cannon, ready to place aboard a ship. And they’re just months away from inviting defense contractors to bid on a contract to build it for them.
Cool technology though. The fact that it can cut through choppy waters and hit a moving target over a mile away is pretty sweet.
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