Japan to develop anti-missile laser


Tuesday, May 15, 2007
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55765

TOKYO: Japan’s Defence Ministry plans to develop a high-powered laser capable of shooting down missiles to boost its defences against North Korea, a news report said on Sunday.

The ministry will ask for funds next fiscal year to develop a ground-based laser capable of destroying ballistic missiles in midair, according to the Mainichi newspaper.

The ministry is also considering an anti-missile laser that can be mounted on aircraft, the report said, citing unidentified officials. Unlike the Patriot missile defence system, which Japan began deploying in March, lasers would shoot down missiles shortly after they are launched, the Mainichi said. Patriot missiles can only shoot down missiles at later stages of their trajectory.

The US is already developing similar laser technology, according to the report. Defence officials in Tokyo were not immediately available for comment. The report comes amid heightened concern in Japan over North Korea’s weapons programmes. Last year, the North test-fired seven missiles into waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan, and detonated its first nuclear bomb.

Since April, Japan’s Defence Ministry has provided US forces with intelligence from 28 radar sites across Japan and from its fighter squadrons and other air units, according to a separate report carried by Kyodo News agency.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55765

Awesome. Crossing my fingers for some Mobile Suits.

awesome if it's indigenous tech

I would think electro-magnetic rail gun would be a faster and more effective solution in near future with the way things are developing at the moment. The problem with laser technology at the moment is that it's just too dependent on the weather for effectiveness, and the power system for generating such power is difficult to make it mobile enough to matter. The latter is especially a big problem.

Of course, rail gun has power issues of its own, and is probably much less flexible in terms of platform, but I think there is no doubt that when put into service, an EM gun would have much higher destructive power than a laser in the near future.

We japanese people Rock but I am pondering the ability of a rail gun. What kind of energy will it use. Will it be powered fission or fusion reactions. Of electricity. I am wondering this.

More like power drawn from conventional power sources and/or generators and stored in large power capacitors and batteries.

ohhhhhh

gimme a shark with a freak'in laser on its head!

they should get the robotech team on this

kellen arent you black?

black and asian, I represent both sides equally

arent you like 3/4 black though

^lmao