Laser and microwave weapons are considered critical elements of layered defense, or having different countermeasures ready to thwart different threats.
After the Army's extended-range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System experienced an anomaly during its first flight test late last year, the service and Lockheed Martin saw a successful test on March 4.
Dale County, Alabama, deputies were called to Cairns Army Airfield about a person shining a laser and a high-powered spotlight into the cockpit of an aircraft.
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"I’m extremely skeptical that we can put a large laser on an aircraft and use it to shoot down an adversary missile, even from fairly close," says Mike Griffin.
The first tier of U.S. troops are being tested this month, followed in May and June by the second-highest priority group: forces in combat zones such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.