Air Force: Laser defense weapon destroys missile in test off California coast

Laser knocks down test missile off Calif. coast

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The Air Force says a high-powered laser has destroyed a missile in flight during a test of a national defense system off the California coast.

The successful test is a boost to a program that has had billions in cost overruns and saw its budget sharply cut by the Pentagon last year.

The Air Force and Boeing Co. announced Friday that an airborne laser system tracked a target missile as it accelerated over the ocean off the Point Mugu Naval Warfare Center on Thursday night. The Air Force says an energy beam heated the missile until it broke up.

It’s the first time the laser has knocked down a liquid-fueled missile. The Air Force says it destroyed a solid-fuel missile during a test on Feb. 3.