Northrop to Sell Laser Shield Bubble for Airports

NeoPrime writes "CNN Money web site has a story about Northrop Grumman forecasting development of a laser shield 'bubble' for airports and other installations in the United States within 18 months. The system will be called Skyguard — a joint venture with Israel and the U.S. Army. It will have the capability to generate a shield five kilometers in radius."

I have this rock that keeps tigers away.

[Anonymous Coward]

What do you mean, does it work? Of course it's working, you don't see any tigers do you?

Missile Command!

[LiquidCoooled]

Gentlemen (and ladies), unpack your Atari 2600's.

Protect those cities!

Picking up the "clue words"

[Rude Turnip]

I see "laser" and I see "bubble." Clearly, this plan involves some frickin sharks at some point.

That goose is cooked

[ScentCone]

By which I mean actual, migrating waterfowl. They'll fall out of the sky right into the Orange Terminal's food vending area, where Duck a la Orange will still sell for $50, right next to the $50 sandwiches. This is convenient, because that's what it will take to finance the laser equipment.

Luckily, Reagan National, in DC, can just use shark-mounted lasers swimming in the Potomac River.

It would make sense for all sites to communicate

[aschoeff]

...and I propose they do this via some sort of dedicated network that controls them all, say, Skynet?

Tastes like chicken!

[corndogg]

Just imagine... juicy cooked tidbits will simply drop from the sky... time to buy a convertible!

New safety notice for pilots

[mikael]

Do not look into laser with remaining eye

I'm unconfortable with this

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think that we should trust a protective shield with a metric radius in the U.S.

Spelling

[whitehatlurker]

I believe that the other nation named is usually spelled "Israel".

Eye used Opera's spell cheque on the post

Poor birds

[Marcos Eliziario]

I see a new fast-food chain based on that: JFK Fried Chicken, (or ducks... or whatever..._)

In what way is this a shield?

[edxwelch]

It's a point defense system. I think the trekkies amounst us won't be amused by the mis-use of the term. I mean can it absorb phaser blasts?

Northrop's one simple request

[Geoffreyerffoeg]

Airports with frickin' lasers on their heads!

But why...

[Digitus1337]

Why do airports need shielding from lasers?

Re:Interesting, but...

[JustOK]

Like I haven't forseen such an eventuality...

Re:Remember it does not have to work to fit the bi

[kfg]

this technology has never actually worked in a carefully controlled test, but it will be on sale!

Kinda like Oracle.

KFG

Re:Failure modes

[ozmanjusri]

And what happens when it is screwed with, causing it to shoot down planes

Rocks don't do that. Their failure mode is to lie there and gather moss.

After analyzing these plans

[hkgroove]

How many Bothans died for this information?

Re:Protect the Airports?

[StikyPad]

Low altitude planes are easily sighted around airports when they are about to land or take-off.

Having worked at an airport, I can say first hand that low altitude planes are very rarely about to take off.

Star wars

[Sir_Lewk]

Reagan is smiling in his grave.

Evil Emperor On Airport Security

[HangingChad]

You and your pathetic band will die. Behold the power of my fully operational domestic airport!

Re:Terrorists?

[SEWilco]

Maybe I don't want a flying car this year.

Re:Picking up the "clue words"

[boarsai]

I was waiting for a reference to a hearth stone. Never really thought of hammers as lasers tho. Maybe that's xpack time. Freaking paladins.

They need something....

[Null537]

...to shoot down those snake infested planes.

Re:Missile Command!

[servognome]

And make sure to take a picture of your high score, so you can get the patch

Mmmmm

[maztuhblastah]

On one hand, we have a system which tracks fast moving objects, and uses lasers to torch them.

On the other hand, we have birds, flying past the detectors.

That's it... I'm bringing Jamaican Jerk spices when I fly next....

-m

Re:What kind of fallacy is this?

[JebusIsLord]

A & -B (there is a rock, and there are no tigers)

therefore,

A -> -B (a rock is a sufficient condition for their being no tigers)

Re:Failure modes

[pockyninja]

I think it would work something like this:
http://resources.ubi.com/resources/39/39273-11-12. jpg [ubi.com]

Various models....

[Pe_Ell]

Man I hope they make a car alarm version. I hate it when Bums lean on my car. :)

Secret codename discovered!

[avasol]

....and we shall call this "giant lazer"..... Preparation H!

Re:I have this rock that keeps tigers away.

[Hemmer]

Ah the old tiger rock. Best buy I ever made...

Pictures

[ijakings]

Damn it, why are there never any pictures for kickass storys like a laser shield bubble but every time Microsoft does something I have to look at Steve Ballmers sweaty face...

Re:useless against low-tech threats

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

If Oswald could do it, then hitting a low flying plane should be a snap.

Re:MANPADs

[Bastard of Subhumani]

The best Suppression of an Enemy Air Defense system is to hard-kill that system.

That's the second best way. Nuking it from orbit is the only way to be sure.

Re:Picking up the "clue words"

[Ohreally_factor]

We have to develop this before some other country does. We cannot allow a bubble gap!

Can we please take this seriously?

[beaverfever]

Can we please take this seriously? These devices are intended to defend against very credible threats. I mean, really... won't somebody think of the children!?!