StringJunky Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 A laser weapon capable of shooting down flying drones has been deployed for the very first time by the US Navy, though only for demonstration purposes. Until now, many questions had lingered over whether laser-based weaponry would ever become an effective tool in modern warfare, some of which have now been answered by official footage of the event. Installed aboard the USS Portland, the 150-kilowatt-class Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) was used to successfully disable an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on May 16, 2020, in what was the first use of a high-energy class solid-state laser weapon. "By conducting advanced at-sea tests against UAVs and small crafts, we will gain valuable information on the capabilities of the Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator against potential threats," said US Navy Captain Karrey Sanders in a statement. "With this new advanced capability, we are redefining war at sea for the Navy." https://www.iflscience.com/technology/us-navy-released-footage-laser-weapon-shooting-down-drone-first-time/ 2
MigL Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 Lasers are fine; but there's no way I'm stepping into a teleporter. ( a fly might be in there with me ) 2
Genady Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 (This is OT, but the previous comment is so too) The title is a textbook example of language ambiguity.
StringJunky Posted April 23, 2022 Author Posted April 23, 2022 2 hours ago, Genady said: (This is OT, but the previous comment is so too) The title is a textbook example of language ambiguity. What ambiguity is that?
Genady Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 29 minutes ago, StringJunky said: What ambiguity is that? "shoots with laser" or "drone with laser"
StringJunky Posted April 24, 2022 Author Posted April 24, 2022 24 minutes ago, Genady said: "shoots with laser" or "drone with laser" I don't see it, but I don't doubt you because English is my native language and intuitively understanding the author's intent likely makes me blind to it.
Genady Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 3 minutes ago, StringJunky said: I don't see it, but I don't doubt you because English is my native language and intuitively understanding the author's intent likely makes me blind to it. It can be interpreted - as intended - that Navy used laser to shoot down drone. But it also can be interpreted that Navy shoots down drone which had a laser on it. Here is a snapshot from an MIT lecture with a similar example. 1
StringJunky Posted April 24, 2022 Author Posted April 24, 2022 23 minutes ago, Genady said: It can be interpreted - as intended - that Navy used laser to shoot down drone. But it also can be interpreted that Navy shoots down drone which had a laser on it. Here is a snapshot from an MIT lecture with a similar example. Understood now. 1
John Cuthber Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 Was the drone wearing a protective tinfoil helmet? 1
dimreepr Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 9 minutes ago, John Cuthber said: Was the drone wearing a protective tinfoil helmet? lol +1
TheVat Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 14 hours ago, Genady said: It can be interpreted - as intended - that Navy used laser to shoot down drone. But it also can be interpreted that Navy shoots down drone which had a laser on it. Here is a snapshot from an MIT lecture with a similar example. I often notice ambiguous phrasing and find it very entertaining. Headlines like... Kids make nutritious snacks Miners refuse to work after death Panda mating fails, veterinarian takes over Old school pillars are replaced by alumni ...make me wonder if some languages have a syntactical structure that makes such phrases more common. (For another thread, perhaps) 1
Genady Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 Curiously, the fresh news from Israel on the same topic: Israel carries out successful laser interception trials - Israel News - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)
swansont Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 It’s not like Star Trek unless they waited until the last minute to shoot it down, even though they didn’t need to be so dramatic.
StringJunky Posted April 24, 2022 Author Posted April 24, 2022 9 minutes ago, swansont said: It’s not like Star Trek unless they waited until the last minute to shoot it down, even though they didn’t need to be so dramatic. Was there a more useful way to do it?
swansont Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 25 minutes ago, StringJunky said: Was there a more useful way to do it? In Star Trek, usually the answer is yes
exchemist Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 23 hours ago, MigL said: Lasers are fine; but there's no way I'm stepping into a teleporter. ( a fly might be in there with me ) I teleported home one night with Ron and Sid and Meg Ron stole Maggie's heart away And I got Sidney's leg. (Douglas Adams. Who else?)
MigL Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 1 hour ago, exchemist said: I teleported home one night Never mind the Star Trek teleporters, which should be called disintegrators ... I was thinking more along the lines of Vincent Price ( 1958 ) and Jeff Goldblum ( 1986 ). ( ok, I watch a lot of movies )
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