Brits may buy laser defense system

17 Jun 2002

Airborne lasers: The British Cabinet may approve the development of a joint antiballistic-missile-defense system later this month. The proposed system would use lasers aboard modified Boeing 747s to protect troops stationed in "hot spots" overseas. Apparently, military commanders are pressing for a defensive system to combat the future threat to British forces overseas. A Ministry of Defence study suggested Britain "buy in" components from the United States and cooperate with other NATO allies in a system that would be much more modest than the "Star Wars" plan first proposed by former President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

The US Air Force's airborne laser system, now being developed by the Seattle-based Boeing Corporation, has emerged as the recommended solution. The lasers would shoot down incoming missiles in flight and be part of an antiballistic system that would also include early-warning satellites and ship-based interceptor missiles.Courtesy of Laser Focus World