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[Dutchling]

Sounds like a really expensive way of killing people.

[MonkeyHead]

Sounds like the US military, then.

[Loud Whispers]

Sounds like a really expensive way of killing people.

Perhaps the plasma is meant for more than people? Expensive targets warrant expensive firepower... Now you're thinking with plasma.

[My Name is Immaterial]

So shouldn't X-Com should start with plasma weapons?

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Truth be told, there's only one serious problem that keeps us from employing plasma weapons: you need a projected magnetic field to make it not immediately disperse and likely kill the user instead of the target. Producing the actual plasma isn't very hard.

[Loud Whispers]

Truth be told, there's only one serious problem that keeps us from employing plasma weapons: you need a projected magnetic field to make it not immediately disperse and likely kill the user instead of the target. Producing the actual plasma isn't very hard.

The objective appears to be the firing of 1 meter diameter toroids of magnetically contained plasma.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Yes, I know. That's why I mentioned it. It would be strange for them to research any other issue. The real question is, of course, how well they managed to do. Range for plasma weapons is much worse than for kinetic ones, how far you can extend the field is exactly how far you are able to shoot.

[Sensei]

Yes, I know. That's why I mentioned it. It would be strange for them to research any other issue. The real question is, of course, how well they managed to do. Range for plasma weapons is much worse than for kinetic ones, how far you can extend the field is exactly how far you are able to shoot.

Could one project a magnetic field as far as one could project a magnet? Could one also not project a magnet out of a cannon?

Granted, that's pretty redundant unless you're really sure your projectile needs some added plasma-derived oomph.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I suppose you could, but then you're destroying both a plasma generator and an electromagnet strong enough to contain it with every usage. You might as well just use a conventional explosive.

[MonkeyHead]

... aaaaand if you are firing a chunk of expensive engineered ferrous material to contain some plasma, you might as well just fire a cheap chunk of crude-ish ferrous material on its own.

[Loud Whispers]

...Unless it's cheaper than an expensive chunk of engineered rocket.

Depends really, since you know, top sekrit.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Generally, classified +10 Black Tech is not cheaper than things that are already widely used.

[Loud Whispers]

Generally, classified +10 Black Tech is not cheaper than things that are already widely used.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Unless it's cheaper than the even more classified missiles. It's sikrets all the way down.

[LeoLeonardoIII]

I figure we're gonna see attacks by a drone carrier that drops autonomous mini-drones with explosive payloads. Literally fly a bomb through every chimney and window in a city block. Then the drone carrier returns automatically. If captured it self-destructs.

I also predict we're gonna see the US begin overtly using an explosive or incendiary chemical weapon and argue that it doesn't count as a war crime because it's just the propellent for the weapon. If it gets all over the target it's not their fault. If you ban any weapon that contains chemicals, you are banning every object. At minimum you're banning guns.

Finally I predict you'll see some alternative to land mines that still creates a no-man's-land, such as automated armored turrets, laser-pointer drones on overwatch that paint targets for laser-guided mini-missiles, and plastic foam sprayed over an area that hardens into a barrier that gums up wheels and bogs down infantry.

As for policy, what the US has going on is unsustainable. Either the US will become ruthless, which will result in its de jure hegemony or its destruction in WW3, or the US will become unable to maintain military bases and adventures because there will be no visible progress to make it worthwhile.

[My Name is Immaterial]

Finally I predict you'll see some alternative to land mines that still creates a no-man's-land, such as automated armored turrets

http://singularityhub.com/2010/12/16/south-koreas-robot-machine-gun-turret-can-see-you-coming-3-km-away/