The futuristic weapon would be a more affordable way of defeating aerial threats than missiles and bullets if it is approved by the British military.
    • knightly the Sneptaur@pawb.socialEnglish
      5·
      3 months ago

      Also, the actual destruction happens much slower than that.

      The fastest explosive on earth detonates at a speed of just over 6 miles per second, about a 300th of 1 percent of lightspeed. I very much doubt anything hit by mere photons could deflagrate quicker unless there was an absolutely staggering amount of energy being dumped into it.

      • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        3·
        3 months ago

        Yup. I guess “able to overheat targets at moderate speed” just didn’t sound like an exciting enough headline.

        Other journalists list a per-shot price in the headline, which is the right thing to emphasise. TBF it’s one of the first things mentioned in the article.