Hey guys,

 

I would like to present this question to people whomever out there is highly knowledgeable in the field of acoustics:

 

Given these facts:

• Soundwaves can travel through solids, air & liquids.
• Scientists can move objects through measuring wavelength and intensity.
• Energy can be produced and conducted through soundwaves.
• Enthusiasts have created small to midsize drones that can carry up to 50 lbs. along with supersized drones that lift a human. (See YouTube.com)

 

Why doesn’t someone combine these technologies to do two things that would be great for protecting our troops in combat fields:

1. Create supersized, solar powered drones that can fly 2,000 to 3,000 feet ahead of convoys, sending soundwaves down into the road in an effort to detonate IED’s before any light armored vehicle carrying troops has a chance to drive over them.
2. Quickly detect airborne, incoming rockets and anti-tank missiles to fire counter missiles to intercept them before they can reach the vehicles or tanks.

(View concept image)

Edited December 30, 20169 yr by CuriousMe

Create supersized, solar powered drones that can fly 2,000 to 3,000 feet ahead of convoys, sending soundwaves down into the road in an effort to detonate IEDs before any light armored vehicle carrying troops has a chance to drive over them.

 

How loud would it have to be to do this? Atmospheric pressure equates to ~194 dB

I know there is something in regular use, but don't know all the details.

 

You can find a few of the ways they use to remotely detonate enemy ied's online.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-02/new-device-uses-electromagnetic-pulses-detonate-ieds-safe-distance

 

You can find a patent for an aerial vehicle as well.

https://www.google.com/patents/US20140062754

 

 

Jammers are also a common countermeasure.

Edited December 31, 20169 yr by Endy0816

 

Create supersized, solar powered drones that can fly 2,000 to 3,000 feet ahead of convoys, sending soundwaves down into the road in an effort to detonate IED’s before any light armored vehicle carrying troops has a chance to drive over them.

 

I imagine there would be problems with generating enough energy in the sound waves to detonate a device without causing damage to nearby buildings and people.

I know there is something in regular use, but don't know all the details.

 

You can find a few of the ways they use to remotely detonate enemy ied's online.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-02/new-device-uses-electromagnetic-pulses-detonate-ieds-safe-distance

 

...

 

Jammers are also a common countermeasure.

Those are electromagnetic solutions, though, not sound.

 

I imagine there would be problems with generating enough energy in the sound waves to detonate a device without causing damage to nearby buildings and people.

Yes, low frequencies are omnidirectional aren't they? You can't really tightly focus them like high frequencies.

Those are electromagnetic solutions, though, not sound.

 

Wanted to address the question of "Why doesn't...", with a couple examples of preexisting generalized solutions.