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Airborne Laser Destroys Missile
Ray gun fans, rejoice! The Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) took out a liquid-fueled ballistic missile from an airborne platform, according to the Missile Defense Agency.
(Laser destroys missile)
A modified Boeing 747-400F airframe fitted with a Northrop Grumman higher-energy laser and Lockheed Martin beam and fire control system [was used]. After an at-sea launch, the ALTB used a low-energy laser to track the target. A second, low-energy laser was used to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbances before the megawatt-class laser was fired, "heating the boosting ballistic missile to critical structural failure."
If you enjoy this general topic, you'll like AESA Radars Used As 'Death Ray' Weapons? .
Via Engadget; thanks to Winchell Chung for the tip on this story (I think).
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/13/2010)
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