2008 Top Articles On Weapons Technology

By Staff

Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 15:51

A list of most read articles on weapon technology has been outlined by New Scientist for the year 2008.

Here is the list:

Airborne Laser lets rip on first target: After a megawatt laser weapon was fired from an aircraft for the first time, now the laser fights in sky is not far away. The main aim of the technology is to target "rogue" missiles, but it could also be used against other planes or targets on the ground.

US boasts of laser weapon's 'plausible deniability': The "long-range blowtorch" developed by the US military allows to intricate targets silently, invisibly, and without leaving any trace, thus, allowing its users to deny involvement.

Pentagon wants laser attack warnings for satellites: Pentagon aims to develop sensors that could detect spy satellites that are being blinded by ground-based lasers.

US considers nuclear-powered assault ships: The Bush administration is pressing ahead with a plan to make assault ships nuclear so they will not have to pull into hostile ports for fuel. But, putting nuclear reactors into craft that will be in the line of fire is crazy, say critics.

Anti-landmine campaigners turn sights on war robots: According to a major pressure group, robots should not be allowed to make decisions about its killing. The group believes that autonomous offensive weapons should be banned under treaties like those against landmines and cluster weapons.

Packs of robots will hunt down uncooperative humans: The "multi-robot pursuit system", as badly wished by the Pentagon, will enable packs of robots search for and detect a non-cooperative human.

Pre-crime' detector shows promise: Technology developed to monitor soldiers' vital signs on the battlefield is being reworked to detect people who might be harboring hostile thoughts. But, will it really help to prevent terrorist attacks, or is it just "security theatre" that invades travellers' privacy?

Planned cluster bomb hunts targets down: The US has developed a smart weapon that could pursue targets for kilometers.

Flickering light could replace rubber bullets: A new breed of non-lethal weapons will be able to replace rubber bullets, that could knock the target with flickering light.

Fifty years of DARPA: Hits, misses and ones to watch: DARPA that pioneered the Internet and driver less cars, are some of the min-blowing success, however it also has its own set of failures to match. AGENCIES