Air Force pursuing antimatter weapons

[Midnight Son]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/10/04/MNGM393GPK1.DTL


The U.S. Air Force is quietly spending millions of dollars investigating ways to use a radical power source -- antimatter, the eerie "mirror" of ordinary matter -- in future weapons.

The most powerful potential energy source presently thought to be available to humanity, antimatter is a term normally heard in science-fiction films and TV shows, whose heroes fly "antimatter-powered spaceships" and do battle with "antimatter guns."

During the Cold War, the Air Force funded numerous scientific studies of the basic physics of antimatter. With the knowledge gained, some Air Force insiders are beginning to think seriously about potential military uses -- for example, antimatter bombs small enough to hold in one's hand, and antimatter engines for 24/7 surveillance aircraft.

More cataclysmic possible uses include a new generation of super weapons -- either pure antimatter bombs or antimatter-triggered nuclear weapons; the former wouldn't emit radioactive fallout. Another possibility is antimatter- powered "electromagnetic pulse" weapons that could fry an enemy's electric power grid and communications networks, leaving him literally in the dark and unable to operate his society and armed forces.


Let's face it: we don't yet have enough power to obliterate the planet without there being some survivors. Plus I'm sure terrorists are salivating over palm sized antimatter bombs. You think WMD's are an issue now.... :roll:

[Menzo]

The idea of weapons that destroy *stuff* (tanks, electronics, guns, etc.) and not people is really appealing to me.

Of course then we have a Simpsons scenario in which our enemies are simply using boards with nails in them.

[John Many Jars]

Antimatter bombs are NOT a threat. All you have to do is reverse their polarity with an anti-ion projector and their effects will be completely neutralized.

[Mike O'Malley]

Antimatter bombs are NOT a threat. All you have to do is reverse their polarity with an anti-ion projector and their effects will be completely neutralized.

Thank you, Mr. Laforge

[Duality]

Can we start posting pics of LeVar Burton again?

I always liked that!

[Stroker Ace]

Can we start posting pics of LeVar Burton again?

I always liked that!... and Duality was never heard from again.

[Prodigy]

Can't we skip to the blasters and spaceships directly ?

[shift6]

Fuck Star Wars.

[Linoleum]

You won't see any form of antimatter weaponry, much less more peaceful uses in your lifetimes. That said, the issues are well worth looking into and have other applications.