Where did I state that we should return to the dark ages?super_mega_ultra said:Yeah, because going back to a ship capable of operating without electricity is way better than just protecting the electrical components using a simple Faraday cage... Just imagine the success you'll have using hand cranked line of sight cannons against over the horizon guided anti-ship missiles... and no radar, no sensors capable of seeing during the night, no electronic navigation, what a brilliant plan.SinisterDeath said:You know.. the article says it's 'safer' than traditional armaments (true to a point!), but that doesn't mean because it uses 'electricity' it is inherently safe.
Top that off, a ship that uses it, really should have more than just Lasers at its disposal... so its still going to have your old fashion armaments... Specially in the advent of EMP weaponry!
Get off on playing the reducto ad-absurdum card much? (Trolling Escapist again?)
The statement I made should have been self evident.
If you have something that only works with electricity, have a backup that doesn't require it, or is capable of using lower levels of electricity should something hamper your ability to generate suitable levels of electricity.
Also;
When talking electricity, and the upgrades required to power more lasers on said ships, Electrical accidents will increase. This should be self-evident.. You need people to add and maintain these systems after-all. (That's not even including the very real possibility, that many sailors will get electrocuted if the ship is struck, instead of going 'boom' if its full of munitions)
And if you look at the statistics, Electricity is already one of the largest killers when it comes to work-place accidents. (And I'd consider working in said ship, as a work-place)
It is a Misnomer to claim this technology is 'safer'.
It simply poses a 'different' kind of risk to these sailors. (Same for Rail-Guns)