<HTML>Die Nachrichtenagentur Associated Press und mehrere amerikanische Zeitungen berichten 5.10.04 über Pläne, Mikrowellenwaffen von Flugzeugen aus gegen Bodentruppen und Aufständische einzusetzen. Da bei Flugzeugen das Gewicht besonders wichtig ist, werden hierzu neue leichtere Generatoren gebraucht:
Generator key to getting microwave weapons on military planes
Auszüge:
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Air Force expects planes will be able to fire non-lethal microwave rays at enemy ground troops with the help of a new superconducting generator system developed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base after about 25 years of research.
Heavy, inefficient generators have been a hurdle to the development of airborne microwave weapons, which create a disabling burning sensation.
Microwaves could be used to control large groups of enemy fighters without killing them or disable electronics-dependent enemy weapons..."We finally have the materials where we're ready to build this generator," Lt. Col. JoAnn Erno, chief of the power division of Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate, said Monday.
Microwaves _ high-powered electromagnetic beams that can rapidly heat water molecules _ and other directed-energy weapons could bring advantages to the battlefield in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, where U.S. troops have had to deal with hostile but unarmed crowds as well as dangerous insurgents.
Aside from paralyzing potential attackers or noncombatants like a long-range stun gun, the weapons could disable the electronics of missiles and roadside bombs or even disable a vehicle in a high-speed chase, developers say...</HTML>
