IHS Jane’s 360:
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is eyeing two possible laser solutions for boost phase missile intercepts and hopes to trial the technology with high-power systems by 2021.
MDA previously managed a large-scale programme that was intended to destroy boosting missiles with a laser, but it was cancelled. The manned Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser Testbed (also known as the Airborne Laser), a multibillion development effort, was terminated in 2009 after then secretary of defence Robert Gates found the technology and operating concept unworkable. Gates felt it was unfeasible to rely upon a large manned aircraft circling over enemy territory.
However, now MDA officials believe a solution may reside in using high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with lasers that could destroy boosting missiles from standoff ranges, meaning the UAV may not need to risk flying over hostile countries…