http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/smart spending = investing few millions in a device that renders icbms useless

wtf are the treasury guys thinkin? these lasers arent just cool toys, it's the culmination of decades of missile defense research ]]>Apr 25th 2009 11:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
1. Send hundreds of them while we send hundreds back, ending in Mutally Assured Distruction and the end of civilization as we know it.

2. Send over the one ICBM some country managed to cobble together to which the United States would respond by blow that country off the face of the Earth. Again, why would any country do this?

3. Terrorists manage to build their own? I guess thats possible, but even an entire country like North Korea couldn't get a rocket half way across the Pacific Ocean.

4. In the style of some James Bond movie, terrorists/mad genius type criminal organization hijack Russian/Chinese ICBMS. Even genius types are a real big problem, so we should also try work out some contingencies for someone using lasers to melt the ice caps. Essentially this is such a ridiculous idea that it's stupid to try to prepare for it.

Missle shields are a nice theory and I'm sure if we ever get in a real Cold War with China, we'll probably buld one, but for the current geo-political climate, they don't make sense. A bigger threat to the United States is a truck full of gasoline and pipe bombs blowing itself up on a crowded American street.]]>Apr 26th 2009 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
your comment would make sense if there was money being saved. But the Defense budget OVERALL is being upped by 4-8%

Gates wants more men and women on the front line instead of better equipped men and women.
Please, saving money is good, but A) no money is being saved because the budget is being INCREASED and B) money is being cut from the wrong programs.]]>Apr 26th 2009 1:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/1. no countries other than us or Russia has that many nukes, and they're not going to do that any time soon. and besides, it would be tens of thousands, not hundreds. you apparently don't know much about this stuff.
2. if it was only was missile, i think we would be able to destroy it. and i doubt we would literally blow them off the map in retaliation. Obama would be more likely to bake them a cake and go bow to their leader.
3. terrorists won't build a missile, and probably not even a nuke. more likely they'd sneak uranium/plutonium into the US and use it in a dirty bomb, since they don't have the tech for missiles and nukes. also, North Korea aren't really terrorists. they're a full-fledged country. and you can bet they will continue their missile development until they are capable of reaching around the world. this might not take as long as you think.

it's not likely and and ICBM will be coming our way, but i'd rather be prepared than not. i'd rather have a missile defense system and not need it, than need it, and not have it. besides, and the car/truck bomb you describe is also unlikely, but also much less damaging than an atomic bomb. besides, you do know that gasoline doesn't explode with the concussive force that the pipe bombs would, which is what does the damage, right? gasoline is used for movie explosions since it looks spectacular, but doesn't cause much damage. just shows how little you know about all this.]]>Apr 26th 2009 1:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 2:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 4:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 1:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
I once worked on early laser program in the Regan Star Wars Era (was only in my late 20's) though been with the C-17 Airlifter since '86. Lift Big baby!]]>Apr 25th 2009 11:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
but yah, im going to have to agree with kangbp.nyc that this technology is what a lot of this missle defense tech. has been leading up to, its the next step in a secure def. against any icbm threats to the US... the us gov. needs to change their priorities in funding and fund this tech.! ]]>Apr 25th 2009 11:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 27th 2009 3:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Disappointed!]]>Apr 26th 2009 1:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 25th 2009 11:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
So much for being against the military.]]>Apr 26th 2009 12:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Military spending 2008(available on Wiki)
1 United States 651,163,000,000
2 People's Republic of China 70,242,645,000
3 France 61,571,330,000
4 United Kingdom 56,889,000,000
5 Japan 48,860,000,000
6 Germany 45,930,000,000
7 Italy 40,050,000,000
8 Russian Federation 34,000,000,000
9 India 32,700,000,000
10 Saudi Arabia 31,050,000,000
11 Turkey 30,936,000,000
12 South Korea 28,500,000,000
13 Brazil 23,972,836,012
14 Spain 18,974,000,000
15 Iraq 17,900,000,000
16 Canada 16,061,762,400
17 Australia 15,744,500,000
18 Israel 13,300,000,000
19 Netherlands 12,000,000,000
20 Poland 11,791,000,000
21 Republic of China (Taiwan) 10,500,000,000 ]]>Apr 26th 2009 12:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Why is that bad? Because a lot of that money goes to R&D and construction, creating many jobs. His cuts to funding are causing many contractors to have to layoff. Look at the Joint Strike Fighter project that is getting cut down... 60,000 jobs in the crapper.

Fantastic. ]]>Apr 26th 2009 12:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 1:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
The US is equipped to fight multiple wars on multiple continents not because it wants to fight them, but because it must be prepared to do it. Because nobody else is willing to pay the bill. That's why US spending is so much more. It leads the way in military advancement and preparedness because no other countries are even close to filling that role. They've got government funded social programs to pay for - the US will take care of the 'warmongering' for them.

The US could cut spending, pull back troops, and the next time disaster strikes or some country decided to flex their muscles in europe / asia, the US can just let the phone ring when the world comes calling. Of course the same people whining about the well-funded US military will be whining when it's not bailing their butts out.]]>Apr 26th 2009 2:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 2:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/First, let's acknowledge that you've got a point: the USA do clearly most of the job when there are problems around the world (Afghanistan v2, etc...).

But, don't say that "every time there's trouble, whether it's a dictator, terrorists, or even natural disaster, the world looks to the US to take care of it" because sometimes USA take care of it even when nobody asks, just because it's good for them (Irak v3, Chilean coup d'état?, etc?).

Let's say that USA are great when resolving real problems (WW1, WW2, Afghanistan v2, Kosovo, etc...), but sometimes it seems that their enthusiasm is a little bit too strong (Irak v3, etc...)...]]>Apr 26th 2009 10:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
The US had to take the lead in Iraq the 2nd time around because the UN, after voting for numerous resolutions to 'condemn' Iraq, wasn't gong to do a dang thing. Know why? They were too busy making money off a corrupted oil for food program (look up Kojo Annan - the son of the then UN Secretary General). And the other so-called allies were making money selling arms and other items to Iraq, either for straight up cash or using the oil for food program. The UN and the rest of the world postured - correctly - that Iraq must be stopped. Only the US had the courage to pay the politically unpopular price of taking action.

BTW, most probably don't know, because it doesn't fit the "no WMD in Iraq", but after the war the US quietly moved 550 tons of yellow cake to canada.

Finally, if Obama or clinton had been the one to remove saddam from power, we'd be hearing about how millions of people were liberated from a regime that imprisoned, tortured, and killed its citizens. We'd hear about the real mass graves, the rape rooms, saddam's sons putting people through industrial plastic shredders. We'd hear how wonderful it is to have a budding democracy in the middle east. Instead, because it was lead by a republican (who I'm no fan of), it's called an illegal, unjust war.


]]>Apr 26th 2009 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/]]>Apr 26th 2009 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Boeing's Airborne Laser begins chargin' its lazarz, BLARGH uncertain]]>May 19th 2009 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/We should just go back to the Sprint and Spartan systems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vq4mWyYl2Y
]]>Apr 26th 2009 12:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 1:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 1:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 1:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 2:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 27th 2009 12:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 5:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 27th 2009 3:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
I imagine that a dozen chrome-plated missiles should take care of it.]]>Apr 26th 2009 7:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 8:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. -- Mark Twain]]>Apr 26th 2009 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/
Oh I just love the irony :)]]>Apr 26th 2009 9:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/25/boeings-airborne-laser-begins-flight-tests-future-uncertain/Apr 26th 2009 9:20AM