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The Precision Airborne Standoff Directed Energy Weapon was a
The Precision Airborne Standoff Directed Energy Weapon was a weapons system
A weapon, arm, or armament is any implement or device that is used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime (e.g., murder), law e ...
described in unclassified documents leaked to ''Wired magazine
''Wired'' is a bi-monthly American magazine that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. It is published in both print and Online magazine, online editions by Condé Nast. The magazine has been in public ...
'' in 2007.
In 2008 Boeing
The Boeing Company, or simply Boeing (), is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support s ...
tested a prototype of the weapon, mounted in a C-130
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 w ...
.
Some commentators compared the military`s requests with fantastical science fiction.
{{cite news
, url = http://www.dailytech.com/Boeing+ATL+Aircraft+HighEnergy+Laser+Ground+Tested/article12668.htm
, title = Boeing ATL Aircraft High-Energy Laser Ground Tested
, publisher = Daily Tech
, author = Shane McGlaun
, date = 2008-08-14
, archivedate = 2011-04-27
, archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110427060443/http://www.dailytech.com/Boeing+ATL+Aircraft+HighEnergy+Laser+Ground+Tested/article12668.htm
, url-status = dead
, quote = Lasers have long been the stuff of science fiction and dreams, but good ideas have a habit of moving from fiction into the realm of reality. Boeing is certainly moving the laser from the realm of fiction into reality as a tactical weapon.
They have repeated passages from the military briefing documents where the weapon was described as like a long distance blow torch. It was described as being able to erode the morale of enemies by showing the USA had the ability to set suspects on fire from a distance. It was also described as being able to incapacitate vehicles by bursting their tires, at lower intensity levels.
In 2012 Wired reported that the Naval Criminal Investigation Service was trying to track the individual who leaked the documents, even though they were not classified.
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