Laser fired from nose of 747 for first time

For the first time, the Air Force test fired the high-energy airborne laser it is developing to shoot down missiles, program officials announced Monday.

During the Nov. 24 ground test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., the laser blazed through the beam control/fire control system before shooting out the turret mounted on the nose of a Boeing 747.

The beam control/fire control system, operated by a crew inside the jet, steered and focused the beam onto a simulated ballistic missile target.

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