Boeing, the aerospace company has just been granted a patent for a “method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc,” which refers to a laser force field. This design is the first of its kind and will be changing the face of modern warfare.
The idea behind this laser force field, which will probably be used for protecting military vehicles is, is for detecting explosions and then defend against the lethal overpressure waves which generates from the detonation of explosives. This will not be protecting against shrapnel from explosions, as that task will be operated by the armor of the vehicle.
The patent mentions, “Such embodiments as described above may reduce the energy density of the shockwave by creating a second medium in the path of the advancing shock wave that reflects, refracts, absorbs and deflects at least a portion of the shockwave.”
The product has a sensor which detects explosion while estimating the time and location of the blast. The signal received from the sensor would trigger a laser or a microwave energy that would heat up a portion of water/air to generate a plasma shield in between the explosion and the vehicle. The plasma will be absorbing the shockwaves from the explosion, according to Popular Science.
The force field does not permanently enclose the vehicle and works only in times when it detects an explosion. The plasma shield will possibly also make the inner side of the shield go black, thus anyone within the territory of the force field will not be able to see out.
Regardless of these limitations, this technology has the potential to protect barracks and other building from exploding, lowering the damage done in attacks. Supposedly it has the capability of shielding airplanes, which is great for Boeing as it has both military and commercial aircrafts.
Before marketing the technology for military use, the challenge that Boeing has to overcome is the detecting blast of various magnitudes. Boeing has plans of vehicles to be set with the force field to possess a database of bomb explosion signatures so that the system is prepared how to react with each different one.
Boeing has to get hold of patents very often to protect its property but is not known for exploring each new product. No date has been set for the release of this product yet.