The true genius of the BigDog is in its balance and obstacle avoidance systems. In a video released by Boston Dynamics, we can see it recover its balance and keep walking after being kicked by a disgruntled Boston Dynamics employee. Even more shocking is the BigDog slipping and sliding on a patch of ice; the lifelike maneuvers and refusal to give up make you want to give it a treat, or at least a pat on its engine.
No word yet on whether the military will add machine guns, rocket launchers or excessive amounts of green fluid. There isn't even an estimated date on when BigDog will be sent into the field, but one thing is for sure: He'll make a great pet.
Laser Cannons
Whether they're from a turret, an AT-AT or an X-wing, we all recognize the distinct sound and red and green hues that have become trademarks of the Star Wars franchise. Laser cannons differ from personal blasters only in sheer power. While you can "set your blasters to stun," cannons have only one option: destroy.
Laser cannons began as intergalactic brooms, blasting away asteroids and debris to make way for starships. This blasting was then directed at incoming missiles with great success. The efficiency of these weapons naturally made their operators want to set their sights on the living rather than just space rocks. After getting the accuracy/death ratio just right, the Empire began arming all types of starfighters and ground vehicles with lasers in the form of turrets and AT-AT chins.
The standard weapon of dogfights in the Star Wars universe might soon become ours. DARPA, what have you been up to?
HELLADS (High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System)
High energy lasers have been shooting down missiles since 2000, but the cooling systems required made them too heavy to carry on any plane smaller than a 747. Realizing that 747 dogfights are about as exciting as brushing your teeth, DARPA has begun development on HELLADS. Their goal is to create a 150 kilowatt laser that weighs under 750 kilograms and fits within two cubic meters - roughly the size of your average refrigerator - so that it can ultimately be fitted onto a fighter aircraft.
Ok, that's all nice, but what can it do? First, it's invisible, with a range of about five miles. Second, it travels at the speed of light - there's no outmaneuvering this laser. Third, at 150 kilowatts, it can effectively melt a hole in a tank. What more can you ask for?
With the chance of enemies developing similar technology, the Air Force has already started developing anti-laser shielding for missiles and aircrafts. If this isn't enough to surprise you, a prototype of HELLADS is scheduled for testing in 2009. The future comes pretty quick, doesn't it?
Thanks to DARPA and the companies it funds, we're able to see more of our favorite sci-fi weapons and machines become a reality. Gone are the days where we made pacts with our buddies, promising we wouldn't rest until we built a fully functional starfighter. We can now lay back and be assured that somewhere deep inside the DARPA headquarters, there's someone furiously working to make it a reality. Until then we'll gladly play our videogames with the reassuring knowledge that we are - in one way or another - helping to advance the cutting edge of military technology.
Alexander Villegas is a freelance contributor to The Escapist.
