The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: SSG Snuggle Bunny on February 13, 2010, 12:44:57 PM
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WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. high-powered airborne laser weapon shot down a ballistic missile in the first successful test of a futuristic directed energy weapon, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on Friday.
The agency said in a statement the test took place at 8:44 p.m. PST (11:44 p.m. EST) on Thursday /0444 GMT on Friday) at Point Mugu's Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range off Ventura in central California.
"The Missile Defense Agency demonstrated the potential use of directed energy to defend against ballistic missiles when the Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile" the agency said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1111660620100212?type=marketsNews
The MDA at one time had plans to field operational versions of the ABL for boost-phase missile defense, but the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has scaled back the program. Plans now call for using the experimental ABL platform as a test bed for research on directed energy weapons. Depending on available funding, the aircraft may conduct up to two more flight tests this year, MDA Executive Director David Altwegg said Feb. 1. However, Lehner said Feb. 12 that no additional flight tests are currently scheduled.
http://www.spacenews.com/military/100212-airborne-laser-goes-two-for-three-1st-intercept-tests.html
We must also cease all funding for body armor for our troops lest poorer nations interpret that as a sign we seek unfair advantages on the battlefield.
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But, but, if we shoved the NKans' or Iranians' missiles back down their throats, it might benefit The Great Boogeyman, Israel. The Great and Powerful O would hate to do that.