microwave zaps fleeing cars in their tracks

December 4th, 2007 post a comment (4) stumble it! by: technabob

Let me start by saying this — I need one of these. A new technology is in the works that can stop moving vehicles cars dead from a distance.

general lee pulled over

Pasadena’s Eureka Aerospace has developed high-power microwave-based system that can be fired at a specific car and kill its electrical system in an instant. The prototype system can fire a targeted 50 nanosecond burst from as much as 50 feet away, completely frying the target car’s electrical systems. If the company can raise the funding to optimize the technology, they think they improve the firing distance up to as much as 600 feet away.

Imagine the fun you could have with one of these. Why not shut down that a-hole who’s been tailgating you for the last 5 miles? Or better yet, take out that annoying guy on the train who’s been yammering to his buddies on his cell phone.

[via Discovery via SlashGear]

December 4th, 2007 post a comment (4) stumble it! by: technabob

4 comments post a comment

1. David R | December 4th, 2007 at 12:26 pm

And what effect would it have on the drivers pacemaker?
2. technabob | December 4th, 2007 at 4:58 pm

I suppose it’s about the same as being tazed.
3. CJ D | December 4th, 2007 at 8:55 pm

I hope they don’t sell these to the public, because it would be incredibly dangerous. Think of getting shut down on the highway?
Also, if destroys your electronic equipment, it could be near impossible to determine if someone used this device and if so, where they used it from, especially if the range gets expanded.
Furthermore, if it goes through cars, would it go through buildings? Could someone walk up to a bank or a house and shut down their alarm systems and break in?
Scary Stuff, yo.
4. Super Dave | February 11th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

Then the real bad guys would just drive diesels with no electrical systems. The Air Force had smart bombs in Viet Nam that used electrical systems on vehicles to home in on. The vehicles the Cong were using had no electrical system. The bombs didn’t find their targets. The nice bad guys will use Bio Diesel… The cops toys won’t stop them…