Military Postpones Missile-Zapping Test

Last night, the military had planned an important test of the Airborne Laser Test Bed, a modified Boeing Co. 747 equipped with a powerful chemical laser. The aircraft was supposed to shoot down a ballistic missile target, reprising a successful experiment last February.

Missile Defense Agency spokesman Richard Lehner said last night’s experiment was postponed because the weather was too turbulent at the test altitude.

“Turbulence and wind shear can impact the optics for the sighting equipment on the aircraft,” he said.

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