Watir: how to open a set of webpages in multiple tabs in IE9 or FF or Chrome?

I have a script that opens multiple URLs. Currently these URLs open in completely separate browser windows. I wou开发者_开发知识库ld like to open them in a single browser window with multiple tabs. I can use IE9 or the latest Chrome of Firefox. Is this possible?

I tried some things out, but I could not figure out a way to invoke a second tab through the API. I was able to set the IE tab settings to open links in a new tab. Then I created a page that had a link to a second page. When that link target="_blank", the second page opened in a new tab. Beyond that, I have no ideas.

What problem are you trying to solve with multiple tabs that wouldn't be solved with two browser instances?

Good luck,

Dave