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Subject: Defense Tech Ideas that May Pan Out?
earlm    1/19/2008 11:02:28 PM
Which piece of tech do you think will pan out in the next 20 years and have a meaningful impact on the battlefield? Here's a few candidates: 1. WIG (ekranoplan) 2. Lighter than air craft 3. Lasers (to destroy things, not commo or range taking) 4. EMP 5. Death rays (probably microwave frequency) I see that the Chinese are looking at the WIG. What use would these be? It seems like a solution looking for a problem. I've always wondered if a blimp would make a good modern sub hunter. It seems to me it combines the positive aspect of helicopters (speed) with the persistence of ships.
 
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longrifle       1/19/2008 11:17:35 PM
Tilt rotor aircraft.  

UAVs for anything that doesn't involve troop transport.  We don't owe future generations the chance to achieve a Top Gun inspired dream.  The cavalry eventually had to accept that tradition and 'elan could not justify their continued existence.  So will the fighter jocks.

 
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WarNerd       1/20/2008 1:55:46 AM

1. WIG (ekranoplan)  -- Limited areas of use due to the need for flat terrain.  Tall trees and phone poles are a definite problem.  Low flight level makes them extremely vulnerable if engaged.

2. Lighter than air craft -- Communication relay and persistent observation may be the limit of the usefulness of LTA craft.  Their only defense is altitude (distance), and they are just too vulnerable to any weapon that can reach them.  Best as UAV's.

3. Lasers (to destroy things, not commo or range taking) -- A laser based anti-ballistic (counter artillery and anti-missile) system could shift the formula for battlefield superiority away from artillery and back towards direct fire weapons.  Offensive potentials center around anti-material incendiary effects and will not significantly effect the battlefield.

 4. EMP -- Already deployed, but we will probably see continuing improvement.  A compact directional version could become a major anti-UAV weapon.
 
5. Death rays (probably microwave frequency) -- Too much power required and too many legal issues.

I would recommend that instead of a "Death ray" you put an electromagnetic stunner on the list.  The device would probably work by inducing a petite pal seizer in the target.  Basically this is the StarTrek phaser setting.  Consider the implication of a weapon that allows you to shoot first and sort out the bad guys later.
 
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Shirrush       1/20/2008 12:44:47 PM
LTA. Large, heavy ones. They'll definitely be back. They will probably not be used in combat or anywhere near a battlefield, but they'll be needed for a lot of missions (such as disaster relief) in which large numbers of personnel and heavy loads of supplies will have to reach the location quickly and cheaply. Blimps can do that without even landing.
 
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