Airborne Laser Testbed destroys ballistic missile

Lasers are so freakin' awesome, especially when it's mounted on the nose of a heavily modified 747-400 Freighter and can shoot down in-flight ICBM's.  That is exactly what the Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) accomplished on February 11th while flying over the Western Sea Range off the California coast, when it successfully destroyed a ballistic missile during its boost phase of flight.  This is the first time that a high-energy laser weapon has ever successfully engaged and destroyed an in-flight ballistic missile.  In fact, the ALTB is the most powerful laser in the world.  This will most likely open the door for a new generation of directed-energy high-precision weapons.  Perhaps bullets and missiles will be replaced by phasers, rail guns, and photon torpedoes.  Captain Kirk would be so jealous.

News Link