Re: New TBMD Laser

Tim Jones wrote:

> It uses a flexible mirror to correct for atmospheric
> distortion and increase its range.

Yes and if I'm reading the article right (probably not):

1. The targetting laser paints the target.
2. The returning beam is measured for distortion. Assessing the
atmorshphere between the laser and the missle.
3. The "rubber mirrors or lenses" distort the primary beam as it's fired
by the atmosphere, in almost an opposite fashion. The beam can be over a
meter in diameter as it leaves the AC.
4. The very atmosphere the laser is passing through refocuses the
distorted beam so that when it reached the target, it's back into its
killing configuration (roughly the shape of a basketball.)

In FT usage, would this specify that a space-based Beam system is
potentially ineffective against atmospheric targets unless it contains a
similar distortion-compensating mechanism?

Los