Way OT, & Nerd Alert: Boeing receives US patent for force fields - deploy on defensive backfield?

Submitted by Blueto on

This is pretty cool. I had to post it somewhere.

We could deploy one of these over our defensive backfield to disrupt the oponent's passing attack. I am certain there is nothing prohibiting the use of Star Wars like force fields in the rulebook.

 

http://www.cnet.com/news/boeing-patents-star-wars-style-force-fields/#ftag=YHF65cbda0

blueinIN

March 23rd, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^

If you read the description in the link the force field does not prevent direct impact from projectiles, only help to deflect shockwaves. Therefore, it is not like the force fields imagined in Scifi movies, and certainly does not deflect incoming asteroids.

However, it will leave "anyone inside blind as a bat", so that may help prevent any receivers from reacting to a pass until its too late.

Space Coyote

March 23rd, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^

It states it doesn't prevent direct impact from projectiles, which by the description is true. But ICBMs (and many weapons) and asteroids would be travelling faster than the speed of sounds and would therefore have a shockwave (from a bow shock) located ahead of the body. This wouldn't necessarily prevent direct impact, but I would assume based on the description, it could potentially deflect direct impact, at which point the shield would also prevent the explosive shockwave from creating further damage.

Unfortunately, opponents will not be working at speeds to create such an effect. In that way, this force field will do little good against their unfortunately whimpy passes and and slow running due to their puny muscles.

mGrowOld

March 23rd, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

FWIW way back in the day I took a poli-sci class at Michigan and the prof insisted that nuclear war would be launched against the US or the USSR the day before something like this went on the grid.  Because once a force field (or a comprehensive and functional anti-missle missle system) was in place that country wouldn't be under the threat of mutually assured destruction any longer.

MGoneBlue

March 23rd, 2015 at 4:46 PM ^

Since it doesn't stop solid objects, it won't be much good at helping our passing defense.  Protecting the fans from the shock wave of a Jabrill Peppers tackle, on the other hand, would be a worthwhile endeavor.

rob f

March 23rd, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^

has been using this technology ever since they got lost somewhere near Alpha Centauri:

Lost in Space 50th Anniversary Blogging: "There Were Giants in the ... 

force field 

It hasn't helped them find their way back yet, but if nothing else, at least it saved The Space Family Robinson several times, no thanks to Dr. Zachary Smith!

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