Boeing granted patent for creating a ‘Star Wars’ style force field, to protect vehicles in warzones

Aircrafts and military equipment maker Boeing has been granted patents for a force field that will help it protect vehicles as well as stationary buildings, from any damage by shockwaves due to explosions.

According to a report in The Independent, the design by Boeing is referred to as a “Method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc.”

This patent allows Boeing to outfit vehicles, in the militarised zones, with sensors which can detect nearby explosions. After sensors detect the explosions, they come up with methods to deflect the shockwaves generated by the explosion.

This is done in two ways. In the first method, the sensors intercept the shockwaves and then reduce its energy density before the shockwaves reach the vehicle under protection. The second method is to deflect the explosions away from the vehicle. This is done by the sensors sending high-intensity laser-pulses  in the direction of the explosion to ionise the air. This air-ionisation forms a plasma-channel which is different from the surrounding air.

According to the patent, “The arc generator may create the second medium by creating an electric arc that travels along an electrically conductive path utilizing at least one of high intensity laser pulses, pellets forming a conductive ion trail, sacrificial conductors, projectiles trailing electrical wires, and magnetic induction”.

These systems can also be used for static objects such as buildings and ships out at sea. This technology which helps Boeing put on sensors on vehicles it makes will keep them safe from asymmetric warfare caused by explosive devices in warzones.

Posted by : Gizmeon