Is a force field like the one in Independence Day possible in real life?

[Nick tringali]

When the US fighter aircraft fire on the alien spacecraft , the pilots learn that the spacecraft is protected by some type of an invisible force field. Does our current understanding of how the universe works allow for such a thing?

 

[berkeman]

When the US fighter aircraft fire on the alien spacecraft , the pilots learn that the spacecraft is protected by some type of an invisible force field. Does our current understanding of how the universe works allow for such a thing?

Not really. The closest thing would be eddy current braking. Maybe try a Google search on that...?

 

[newjerseyrunner]

Sort of, Boeing has a patent for a force field, however, it's nothing like Independence Day or Star Trek. You can hold material in place using a magnetic field and use those fields to counter things like shockwaves as well as light. It's not permanent and a computer has to detect a threat, and counter it on a case by case basis.

Such a device, given enough time and money for research could certainly destroy a missile, aircraft, and absorb the atomic bomb. What it could not do is absorb the bullet fired at the coke can in Area 51.