Directed Energy Weapon Downs Ballistic Missile

A**masher writes "In a test off the Califoria coast late last night, Boeing's Airborne Laser successfully destroyed a sub-launched ballistic missile. 'This was the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform,' reported the Missile Defense Agency. It should be noted that destroying a liquid-fueled ballistic missile is generally considered easier than killing a solid-fueled equivalent due to the relative fragility of the fueling and other systems."

Comments

Re:Popcorn and other practical applications

[donaggie03]

Perhaps GP has a flawed view of U.S. foreign policy, but his point remains. Regardless of whether a war or battle or offensive is justified or morally right, once the U.S. military decides on a target then any casualties besides that target and anyone defending that target are considered collateral damage. Once again, whatever the justification of a military strike, they still wish to reduce collateral damage as much as possible. This may be due to a sense of morality in the top brass, or it could be because they realize collateral damage tarnishes America's image and actually pushes more people to the dark side. Or maybe it is a little of both . .

Either way, your arguments do not change the fact that American military policy is to reduce collateral damage, and that these weapon advances help in that regard.