The hovering Multiple Kill Vehicle is simply a waking nightmare

Are you ready for a vision of your inevitable end at the hands of a hovering murderbot? Feast your eyes, then, on this video of the Missile Defense Agency's MKV-L -- or as we like to call it, the Multiple Kill Vehicle. The device -- meant to be used in a bundle of missile interceptors deployed by a larger "carrier" -- has apparently just completed its first flight test, so... you've been warned, resistance is futile, he'll be back, and in space no one can hear you scream. [Warning: read link is a PDF]

[Thanks, Jason]

[ethana2 Posted Dec 11th 2008 2:51AM]

Evidently not, but we all wish it was, just because of how fricking awesome that would be.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 9th 2008 11:53PM]

Are You sure that was just tested? because I remember seen this robot in the discovery channel like 10 years ago, and it didn't had any guns. it's just suppose to crash against the nuclear missiles to destroy them, it doesn't have a explosive warhead either.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 12:10AM]

I don't know... to me it seems that it will take way more fuel to keep that thing afloat than will be possible for it or anything like it to stay in the air for any amount of time.

[OS Posted Dec 10th 2008 9:30AM]

If this thing is really just for in space use, it will probably last much much longer as it doesn't have to fight gravity, just inertia.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 12:44AM]

you idiots, thats the propulsion, not machine gun fire

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 10:37AM]

Bloody hell... What is it with the yanks? They just like to invent more ways of killing people. I suggest they concentrate more on teaching English grammar, its use and ABUSE. ENGLISH, you note.... OUR language! GREAT BRITAIN, a peace loving nation, but we can fight when we have to, with the best disciplined and best fighting troops in the world. Stuff that in your burger and chew on it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 19th 2009 10:51AM]

*Sigh*
You're confusing murder and warfare with defense.
This is NOT a murderous robot that America has invented to kill people, this is a defensive measure used to intercept ICBMs. Drop the stereotype and hate, the Revolutionary War ended 200 years ago.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 11:02PM]

That is the most frightening/coolest thing I have ever seen!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 12:53PM]

Really? REALLY!?! Come on people!

This is 100% fake. I understand that some people just like to call everything CGI or photoshopped but this REALLY is. After reading some of these comments it saddens me to realize that I share this planet with so many gullible morons.

Unless this video was shot on another planet, or some kind of gravity controlled chamber then the fall at the end is a dead giveaway. Go ahead, watch it again. Did you see it??? Watch it again. Now watch it again! I'm sorry to break it to all you 15 year olds that think otherwise, but RoboDan hit the nail right on the head.

It's sad that these kids can longer tell the difference between reality and CGI. Put down the PS3 controller, turn off the tv and go outside. THAT is reality, this is fake.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 3:46PM]

When I first watched the video I wasn't under any preconception. It was just, "hey look at this!" My first impression was that it was rendered. I thought I was just appreciating some very nice game development efforts.

Albeit, this technology is completely plausible, a rendering looking photo realistic is more likely. There are some things that suggest it's rendered. Why does a mounted camera shake so much, when the surrounding netting is barely influenced? Probably cause the animator knew it makes it harder for your brain to pick out a "fake."

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 2:04PM]

Guys I don't think this is a weapon but a weapons platform. IE its the propulsion and guidance portion of a new weapons platform. the thrusters are not likely the "weapon"

[AndrewGM Posted Dec 10th 2008 9:17PM]

During testing, the entire science team was killed.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 3:24PM]

Could be SloMo???

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2008 9:09PM]

people do realise that didn't acctually fire anything right, the bursts of flame were to keep it balanced.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 11th 2008 11:03PM]

I love this thing. BUT, the flashes in multiple directions are not weapons fire, but the propulsion gases being routed to different ports to provide multi-axis attitude control. The device apparently is designed to be more of a airborne floating mine. It maneuvers into the path of the oncoming ICBM and detonates on contact.
It may scale up well enough to carry weapons as well...I hope so. Seeing this kind of thing makes it much easier to go to class every day! I want one!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 12th 2008 11:51AM]

I want one that spits out a little flag that says 'bang'.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 12th 2008 5:58PM]

further proof that this type of tech has been around since the late 80's: picture & article from Flight International - May 13, 1989:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%201344.html.

Seems like they were alot bigger back then and just hovered, didn't move around. I guess thats progress?

Here is the Discovery (TLC) footage 'everyone' has seen before and is thinking of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC97wdQOmfI&NR=1

i'm more impressed with the thing in this older (1999) test.

...and of course, the Japanese have their own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63gqPvWbkMg

1989 Brilliant Pebbles hover test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCVPNQhXtq8

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2009 1:55PM]

Oh, and don't you still hate the Scots for trying to gain their freedom over 600 years ago? Christ, you engelskmenn can't drop a grudge, can you?