http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/bo...tyle-force-field-technology/story?id=29839654

 

the article confuses me, but these reporters often describe technologies incorrectly.
the 'shield' would be formed by a plasma, composed of ionized air molecules I presume. How could this tenuous layer, cause significant deflection of an explosive powered concussion wave?
i have been on deck when a 5 inch gun was being fired. The compressive concussion wave from that gun was enough to physically impact my body just as firmly as a persons hand impacting my chest. Detonation of a large piece of C-4 is on a whole other level. rarified AIR could not protect one from such powerful explosives.

 

the article confuses me, but these reporters often describe technologies incorrectly.
the 'shield' would be formed by a plasma, composed of ionized air molecules I presume. How could this tenuous layer, cause significant deflection of an explosive powered concussion wave?
i have been on deck when a 5 inch gun was being fired. The compressive concussion wave from that gun was enough to physically impact my body just as firmly as a persons hand impacting my chest. Detonation of a large piece of C-4 is on a whole other level. rarified AIR could not protect one from such powerful explosives.

Maybe what it actually does is deflecting debris, but not the shock wave. ?

 

No, the article explicitly says that the system won't protect from direct concussion waves. It only protect from waves at a greater than 0 degree angles. My guess is the plasma field makes a sort of "lense" which redirects the wave. The lense could be produces by changing the density of the local air mass. Ionization might do that.

 

No, the article explicitly says that the system won't protect from direct concussion waves. It only protect from waves at a greater than 90 degree angles. My guess is the plasma field makes a sort of "lense" which redirects the wave. The lense could be produces by changing the density of the local air mass. Ionization might do that.

I wonder at what level what they already have working in the lab is capable of working...