Hasta La Gadget!

Offense is the best defense, and when it comes to war, making sure that your enemies’ communications are knocked out is a pivotal first step towards victory. With so many armies and their weapons relying on sophisticated electronics these days, it makes perfect sense to knock out those circuits to render communications and their weapons as useful as sand in the desert. Boeing has developed a new kind of missile, where they tested it last week successfully, as this missile will actually zap targeted buildings with microwave energy that is so powerful, all the electronics within will cease functioning immediately.

Known as the Boeing CHAMP (Counter-electronics High-powered Advanced Missile Project) missile, it flew over a test range in Utah, with a double story building being the target. CHAMP’s microwave beam was directed towards the building as it passed, rendering all the computers within disabled, and this included the cameras set up to monitor the results. We do wonder whether the enemy has something of this sort in their own armory, and can it be used to disable CHAMP as it flies toward the target? It did not say that CHAMP is a portable, targeting EMP, but it sure sounds like it.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Boeing flagship planes will support cellular calling by 2013, Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be equipped with Android-based entertainment systems,

It’s perhaps every tech-lover’s nightmare, but it’s something everyone should be aware of: electronics-killing missiles. On October 16th, Boeing tested one such weapon named CHAMP, a non-lethal high-powered microwave missile that successfully snuffed the life out of a bunch of PCs, making history in the process. In fact, the test was so successful, the missile killed the cameras set up to record the event as well.

The test was carried out by the Boeing Phantom Works team and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate team members, as well as members from the high-powered microwave supplier Raytheon Ktech. The target was a two-story building filled with desktop computers and electronics. The missile fired a burst of microwave awesomeness at the building, at which point every electronic thing inside died. Throughout the test, seven targets were hit using the missile.

Said Keith Coleman, the CHAMP program manager for Boeing Phantom Works, “This technology marks a new era in modern-day warfare. In the near future, this technology may be used to render an enemy’s electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or aircraft arrive.” He followed this up by stating, “Today we turned science fiction into science fact.” The success of the test is, according to the Boeing statement, a big step in non-lethal warfare.

According to James Dodd, VP of Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft, there is a need for this type of weapon. “We know this has some capabilities and some impact, we’re really trying to engage the customer to see if there is a way we can actually get this fielded and implemented sooner than later.” For now, Boeing is taking a look at the data and telemetry from the completed mission.

[via Boeing]

Boeing tests electronics-killing CHAMP microwave missile is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Aircraft lavatories have come a long way since the early days of commercial air travel. Early flyers used slop buckets, and WWII pilots tossed piss-filled bottles out of unpressurized windows (seriously). More »

The more cynical among us would argue that allowing cellphones in-flight is only a guarantee of an even more unpleasant trip, at least for anyone wanting a distraction-free cabin. There must still be a few optimists: Boeing is promising that future production runs of the 747-8 and 777 will have the necessary support for in-flight cellphone use, live TV and internet access that comes through either headrest screens or WiFi. Aircraft with the upgrade should roll off the production lines before the end of 2013, and they’ll be following a slight change to the 787 later this year that makes the technology support a common option. Some of us may wind up reaching for the earplugs in countries where regulators approve in-air wireless, but there’s definite upsides for all but the biggest curmudgeons — Boeing’s moves could lead to more ubiquitous in-flight WiFi next year, on top of ready-made wireless media streaming due in 2014.

Continue reading Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation

Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve all been on a plane and heard the same spiel over and over again. Please turn off any and all electronic devices, MP3 players, iPods, laptops, and set all iPhone, iPad, and devices to airplane mode — get ready for takeoff. Today however the folks from Boeing have shared their plans to allow cell phone use on their top-tier Dreamliner airplanes as soon as 2013.

Passengers aboard Boeing’s 747-8, massive 787 Dreamliner, and 777′s will soon be able to use their cell phones according to the company and CNET. Back in July when Boeing unveiled their new 787 Dreamliner they were showing off their Android-based entertainment systems on board — but apparently that wasn’t the only Android and smartphone usage they had in mind.

Here in the US however, the FAA has a ban in place that probably will never allow for such activity. So the uses for this new technology and improvements isn’t really known at this point. Whether other countries and officials will allow the use of cell phones is an entirely different situation. Yes we have on-flight WiFi, but making calls is another level.

Along with cell phone use, WiFi as usual, and more, Boeing also states they’ll have actual live TV, and even wireless media streaming by sometime in 2014. If you need to have a video conference while sky high — Boeing will have you covered. Many still think smartphone usage on planes is no big deal and of no security concern, just ask Alec Baldwin.

[via AndroidCommunity]

Boeing Airplanes set to allow cell phone use in 2013 is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.