10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

[Nyrath]

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/01/sci-fi-weapons/all/1

[Michael Hopcroft]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Interesting stuff. I was wondering how many of those weapons might be less effective than weapons in common usage (why build an energy cannon when missiles are cheaper and do the same job just as well?) but the innumerable variations on crowd control were interesting. It's clear that most of these weapons will be directed at protesters, which makes them frighteningly effective tools for dictatorships who are afraid of their own people.

 

The though that comes to mind on those: "These weapons would be truly terrible in the wrong hands." "There are RIGHT hands?"

[Kristopher]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

The anti-citizen applications are creepy for many of those.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

You should see the stuff we use for Protesters at the Embassies from about oh, wwII forward. At least these new anti protester weapons, don't turn folks into various modes of graffiti on the nearest perpendicular surface. Still. No Metal Storm in that mix? Hmmph.

 

~Rex

[Nyrath]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Interesting stuff. I was wondering how many of those weapons might be less effective than weapons in common usage (why build an energy cannon when missiles are cheaper and do the same job just as well?) but the innumerable variations on crowd control were interesting. It's clear that most of these weapons will be directed at protesters' date=' which makes them frighteningly effective tools for dictatorships who are afraid of their own people.[/quote']

Yes, if your objective is to just kill people, plain old ordinary bullets are very cheap and effective.

 

Directed energy weapons are far less efficient. They are only used for specialized purposes, like less-than-lethal crowd dispersal, and convincing the bleeding-hearts in your government's administration that you are at least trying to minimize fatalities.

 

It is possible to do tricks with laser weapons that are impossible to do with conventional firearms, but this comes with a high price (weapon cost, weapon fragility, the danger inherent in the power pack, etc.) Tricks like having the aim sight work through the same optics that the beam fires through, and having an on board computer control adaptive optics to counteract the jiggle in your aim.

[Old Man]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

The anti-citizen applications are creepy for many of those.

 

Your concern has been noted, Citizen. Please report to the nearest neuralysis booth for reeducation. Failure to comply will result in the involuntary recycling of your biomass. Thank you.

[BobGreenwade]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

The anti-citizen applications are creepy for many of those.

If you're a cop and I'm coming at you, I'd much rather you got me with a Flash Bang, Bedazzler, Active Denial System, or even a taser than have a choice of either shooting me (even if it's just with a beanbag round) or letting me seriously injure you.

 

Still, the list could have gone to 20, including the Metal Storm system RexMundi mentioned. I've seen stuff on X-ray anti-aircraft lasers, gun-mounted periscopes (I forget what those around-the-corner gun mounts are called), and all sorts of other crazy stuff. By mid-century America will have these kinds of things all over the place.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Still. All Pro Energy weapons thoughts aside, it does seem, to be extremely difficult, to beat the efficiency, of mass+velocity vs mass of target. It's just so simple, to hit something with something else. Slug Throwers will never die I think.

 

~Rex

[Kristopher]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

If you're a cop and I'm coming at you, I'd much rather you got me with a Flash Bang, Bedazzler, Active Denial System, or even a taser than have a choice of either shooting me (even if it's just with a beanbag round) or letting me seriously injure you.

 

Still, the list could have gone to 20, including the Metal Storm system RexMundi mentioned. I've seen stuff on X-ray anti-aircraft lasers, gun-mounted periscopes (I forget what those around-the-corner gun mounts are called), and all sorts of other crazy stuff. By mid-century America will have these kinds of things all over the place.

 

"Cornershot".

 

X-ray lasers? Has someone come up with a way to make one that isn't "pumped" by a nuclear bomb?

[BobGreenwade]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Still. All Pro Energy weapons thoughts aside' date=' it does seem, to be extremely difficult, to beat the efficiency, of mass+velocity vs mass of target. It's just so simple, to hit something with something else. Slug Throwers will never die I think.[/quote']I tend to agree, particularly with your conclusion.

"Cornershot".

Thank you! I was just so drawing a blank.

X-ray lasers? Has someone come up with a way to make one that isn't "pumped" by a nuclear bomb?

I actually haven't yet seen one that was. There's a lot of power required' date=' yes, so it's expected to be pretty much limited to ground-based platforms, and it's not yet in the field, but they're underway[i'], [/i]with no nuclear bombs involved.

[McCoy]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

I actually haven't yet seen one that was. There's a lot of power required' date=' yes, so it's expected to be pretty much limited to ground-based platforms, and it's not yet in the field, but they're underway[i'], [/i]with no nuclear bombs involved.

Just remember, if your prototype doesn't blow up, or melt down to a puddle of slag, or both, you've learned nothing!

[Kristopher]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

I actually haven't yet seen one that was. There's a lot of power required' date=' yes, so it's expected to be pretty much limited to ground-based platforms, and it's not yet in the field, but they're underway[i'], [/i]with no nuclear bombs involved.

 

I don't think anyone has built one, but the only theoretical designs I'd seen were bomb-pumped.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

I think Bomb Pumped would work better down the long road. Especially as a missile payload, as evidenced by many the David Weber novel and more. Ease of use and production has to play into it somewhere.

 

~Rex

[Lawnmower Boy]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

The world would be a better place if more things were on nuclear fire.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Seconded. While I normally just stick with a good old Casino style Baseball Bat beat down, there is something to be said for the "Step Off!" statement, made by turning something annoying into a flat plane of Radioactive Rubble and Glass. People get the point, when you make it with a Mushroom Cloud.

 

~Rex

[Manic Typist]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Interesting stuff. I was wondering how many of those weapons might be less effective than weapons in common usage (why build an energy cannon when missiles are cheaper and do the same job just as well?) but the innumerable variations on crowd control were interesting. It's clear that most of these weapons will be directed at protesters, which makes them frighteningly effective tools for dictatorships who are afraid of their own people.

 

The though that comes to mind on those: "These weapons would be truly terrible in the wrong hands." "There are RIGHT hands?"

 

Yes, there are.

 

A dictator wouldn't bother with these more expensive, highly technical, niche weapons. They already have highly effective tools for dealing with people they are afraid of, and those weapons are much more terrible.

[Kristopher]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Giving a "nice" state the ability to quash protest without guilt is a dangerous thing, IMO.

 

 

Anyway, interesting weapons, none the less.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

It's only a weapon if you have the Will to use it. Otherwise, it's a very expensive paper weight.

 

~Rex

[IndianaJoe3]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

A dictator wouldn't bother with these more expensive' date=' highly technical, niche weapons.[/quote']

 

A dictator probably wouldn't use them for general crowd control. However, he might adapt some of them as torture devices.

[Kraven Kor]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

Well, a dictator who wants to quell the worker's rebellion without losing a lot of workers... or a "benevolent despot."

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

You just need to be a smart Dictator. Use Religion. Keeps the workers in line where you need them, and your Armies pointed at people that don't care for your Dictatorship. Then, execute anyone smart enough not to be swayed by the "Opiate of the Masses", use the non lethal stuff to update your Iron Maidens and pear's of Anguish, and all's good right?

 

I do find it interesting though to return to the topic, that in the development of non-lethal weaponry, with all the nausea sound wave generators, microwave beamers, chemical irritants, sticky glues, nerf balls and what not, that the single most effective set of crowd control weapons, are a Sling Shot with a concussion grenade, and a STICK, applied liberally about the head and shoulders of the offender. Sometimes. Less is more.

 

~Rex

[Old Man]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

You just need to be a smart Dictator. Use Religion. Keeps the workers in line where you need them' date=' and your Armies pointed at people that don't care for your Dictatorship. Then, execute anyone smart enough not to be swayed by the "Opiate of the Masses", use the non lethal stuff to update your Iron Maidens and pear's of Anguish, and all's good right?[/quote']

 

Quaint, but today we use American Idol and heavily slanted cable "news".

 

I do find it interesting though to return to the topic, that in the development of non-lethal weaponry, with all the nausea sound wave generators, microwave beamers, chemical irritants, sticky glues, nerf balls and what not, that the single most effective set of crowd control weapons, are a Sling Shot with a concussion grenade, and a STICK, applied liberally about the head and shoulders of the offender. Sometimes. Less is more.

 

I read somewhere that someone in charge of training the local riot police got hold of the local SCA chapter to get some pointers. Wish I had a link.

 

During the unrest in Iran I was kind of hoping to see the protestors get some shields and sticks of their own and take on the jackboots in classical shield wall combat. But I suppose there are too many guns around for that.

[RexMundi]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

nah when you do Riot Duty you tend to do it, Without (officially) Guns, that way the rabble that is in deserving of a good beating, can't take your weapon and use it on you. Also, it's pretty easy to shove people around with those shields, and facing down a good Shield wall (The Chinese have the best Riot Squads by far right now I'd say), takes a Lot of nerve. It's very intimidating to be on the wrong end of the Shields and Sticks.

 

~Rex

[Curufea]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

I like the Politically Correct descriptions of the weapons-

The Active Denial System fires a beam of millimeter-wave radiation

 

When they actually mean "it fires microwaves".

[Captain Obvious]

Re: 10 Sci-Fi Weapons That Actually Exist

 

I like the Politically Correct descriptions of the weapons-

 

 

When they actually mean "it fires microwaves".

 

It launches kitchen appliances?