Don't annoy the yanks!

[Nos4r2]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13033437


Have a look at the video.

What a waste!

[jyasaki]

If you can afford to light up an attacking boat for about 5 minutes, it's a great system. Otherwise, well, it might be a good idea to prep the lifeboats...

I wonder how realistically effective it would be against a fast, bouncing, swerving threat.

jky

[pathalla]

Waste is right, just goes to show the government has "money to burn"!
I suppose they NEEDED to use running motors but being as there is quite a bit of flammable stuff on a outboard motor I think engines that didn't run would give them the same effect...
Look to probably see that boat on some government auction site...

[Neil Harvey]

what's wrong with traditional guns?

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

what's wrong with traditional guns?

I think the plan is that with a light beam there are no cross wind/gravity effects. You show a computer the target, it lights it up, tracks it and barbeques it. End of

[watersidemat]

You cant see a Laser beam...wouldn't a homing missile spell out "go away" a little more clearly?

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by watersidemat

You cant see a Laser beam...wouldn't a homing missile spell out "go away" a little more clearly?

The outboard on fire seemed to spell a clear message to me

[Shaz]

There is a slightly more polite British version, built just up the road:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12154117

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by watersidemat

You cant see a Laser beam...wouldn't a homing missile spell out "go away" a little more clearly?

A Missile would probably bounce off the tubes.

[limeydal]

Think the Yanks ,have a thing about targeting RIBs
I was the target boat for the unmanned "Protector" test series here in San Diego.
They told me that light was just the FLIR !
Wondered what that burning smell was
cheers Dal

[Phil Chitty]

Originally Posted by Shaz

There is a slightly more polite British version, built just up the road:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12154117

This isn't new.

Idiot kids have been doing this with laser pens for years!!

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by limeydal

Think the Yanks ,have a thing about targeting RIBs
I was the target boat for the unmanned "Protector" test series here in San Diego.
They told me that light was just the FLIR !
Wondered what that burning smell was
cheers Dal

Well... Limey, you've been holding out on us... You never let on that you were a "military operative". Next thing you know we'll be seeing you running the seal team ribs!

[limeydal]

Hi Pat
think they just have fun shooting at the Limey !! (or at least pretending to !)
You can see me on the Discovery Channel series "Future Weapons" for all of 1 second They were presenting the Protector unmaned vehicle.
Just after they do an interview and mention Pirates, they cut to a shot of a RIB taken on FLIR. Thats me !!!
I did all the testing and displays for BAE here in San Diego.
Unfortunately I got sick with an ear infection from diving, when the bulk of the program was shot. They replaced me with another boat, who they show photographing the fleet and the "Protector" rib chases it down.
Here's me on the night time manouvers,sorry its a touch blurred, but difficult focusing in the dark
cheers Dal

[pathalla]

Originally Posted by limeydal

Hi Pat
think they just have fun shooting at the Limey !! (or at least pretending to !)
You can see me on the Discovery Channel series "Future Weapons" for all of 1 second They were presenting the Protector unmaned vehicle.
Just after they do an interview and mention Pirates, they cut to a shot of a RIB taken on FLIR. Thats me !!!
I did all the testing and displays for BAE here in San Diego.
Unfortunately I got sick with an ear infection from diving, when the bulk of the program was shot. They replaced me with another boat, who they show photographing the fleet and the "Protector" rib chases it down.
Here's me on the night time manouvers,sorry its a touch blurred, but difficult focusing in the dark
cheers Dal

That has to be interesting as all hell, do you work for BAE then? Too bad you were ill and replaced, it would have been neat to see a ribnet member attempting to outmaneuver the Protector, you might have surprised them...

[limeydal]

it would have been neat to see a ribnet member attempting to outmaneuver the Protector, you might have surprised them...

Yea !! I could have taken them !
Actually, manouvering wise I think I could
Just that bit on the front of the USV that gives them an advantage.

No, don't work for BAE. ! Was just lucky enough that a friend spotted it outside a BAE facility. I went down and started photographing it .

I was quickly apprehended by the staff ,until we chatted and they realized I was an admirer. So later they asked if I would like to be the target,for displays for the Navy/ Coastguard/ special Ops/
So tough to say no, (especially when it's a paid gig )
So a couple of days practising and then formal displays.(one at midnight! )

I saw on the military channel this week, that some of the footage is being repeated. Hope you catch it as it was a blast !
Ex-seal " Mac " is the presenter and actually opened the program racing down the Bay in my Buddies yellow "Northwind" RIB
cheers Dal
cheers Dal