A really interesting piece. And potentially very good news.
One question I have, if deployed to Ukraine, what are the risks that equipment with the technology could be captured by Russia and reversed engineered? Is this something the regular Ukrainian soldier would carry?
Hi Dale, this tech would only ride along with munitions that would, presumably, be destroyed when they hit the target. Still, it's definitely a risk worth calculating before sending it to Ukraine - that something might survive enough to allow the Russians to reverse engineer. But even if they could, I'm not sure they have the technical infrastructure to replicate it at this point in time.
My question stems from ignorance. I understand GPS from the perspective that it's relational positioning. Where one point is to several others, right? So with that limited understanding, is this quantum chip/laser/silver bullet relational to any other point?
Your instincts are correct, Carl. GPS uses triangulation for determining a position based on the distance from other points or objects that have known locations. The location of each satellite is accurately known. Jamming disrupts the signal between the satellite and the receiver on the ground disrupting communication of this information. The tech from Sandia labs is entirely self contained to measure its own velocity and angular momentum without input from the outside. So, assuming you have a good target location, you tell the bugger where it needs to go and it goes there - based on whatever the most recent map was uploaded to the onboard computer. In case the target moves, most munitions would have an imaging infrared seeker to provide target recognition and terminal homing for the last mile. Does this help?
So the target info is longitude/latitude stuff, right? Obviously not GPS coordinates. With the known destination and starting point, it's simply following a prescribed path, and the chip ensures it stays on course.
Once this tech gets out, could it make guided weapons easier for more countries? Not every country can put up a GPS constellation, but if there’s a new guidance system that doesn’t require one then more options open up.
A really interesting piece. And potentially very good news.
One question I have, if deployed to Ukraine, what are the risks that equipment with the technology could be captured by Russia and reversed engineered? Is this something the regular Ukrainian soldier would carry?
Hi Dale, this tech would only ride along with munitions that would, presumably, be destroyed when they hit the target. Still, it's definitely a risk worth calculating before sending it to Ukraine - that something might survive enough to allow the Russians to reverse engineer. But even if they could, I'm not sure they have the technical infrastructure to replicate it at this point in time.
Sounds fantastic! Great news.
Now the foreign espionage that undoubtedly will come after it must be stopped.
That was exactly my first thought as well. Besides the usual bad actors, keep it away from Elon!
My question stems from ignorance. I understand GPS from the perspective that it's relational positioning. Where one point is to several others, right? So with that limited understanding, is this quantum chip/laser/silver bullet relational to any other point?
Your instincts are correct, Carl. GPS uses triangulation for determining a position based on the distance from other points or objects that have known locations. The location of each satellite is accurately known. Jamming disrupts the signal between the satellite and the receiver on the ground disrupting communication of this information. The tech from Sandia labs is entirely self contained to measure its own velocity and angular momentum without input from the outside. So, assuming you have a good target location, you tell the bugger where it needs to go and it goes there - based on whatever the most recent map was uploaded to the onboard computer. In case the target moves, most munitions would have an imaging infrared seeker to provide target recognition and terminal homing for the last mile. Does this help?
So the target info is longitude/latitude stuff, right? Obviously not GPS coordinates. With the known destination and starting point, it's simply following a prescribed path, and the chip ensures it stays on course.
That’s pretty cool.
Once this tech gets out, could it make guided weapons easier for more countries? Not every country can put up a GPS constellation, but if there’s a new guidance system that doesn’t require one then more options open up.