I basically agree, but to your points on energy weapons:
4. The YAL-1A was available through 2010 when it intercepted a boosting target. It was subsequently scrapped as described. Lasers on fighter aircraft are being studied, but no installations have occurred.
5. Ground-based lasers may not have the range to engage. They can also be blocked by clouds.
6. We have no space weapons. Tried hard to do it in the 1980s, but no joy.
7. Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are, in practice, high-energy lasers. At one time there was consideration of particle-beam weapons, but they fell out of favor due to problems with beam propagation stability.
The article basically documented that it was impossible to take down a balloon with weapons we have. Some completely different weapon might be necessary to deal with a balloon in future.
I basically agree, but to your points on energy weapons: 4. The YAL-1A was available through 2010 when it intercepted a boosting target. It was subsequently scrapped as described. Lasers on fighter aircraft are being studied, but no installations have occurred. 5. Ground-based lasers may not have the range to engage. They can also be blocked by clouds. 6. We have no space weapons. Tried hard to do it in the 1980s, but no joy. 7. Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are, in practice, high-energy lasers. At one time there was consideration of particle-beam weapons, but they fell out of favor due to problems with beam propagation stability.
The article basically documented that it was impossible to take down a balloon with weapons we have. Some completely different weapon might be necessary to deal with a balloon in future.
Thank you for the details. Nice to hear from another anon familiar with those type of details. Facts are our friends!!