Test of Missile-Blasting Laser Weapon Fizzles

A much-anticipated test of a laser cannon deployed on a Boeing jumbo jet failed to blow up a target meant to mimic a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile.

The failure, which has not been previously reported, occurred during an exercise that was supposed to demonstrate the laser's ability to shoot down an incoming ballistic missile at a range of over 100 miles.

But the weapon prematurely stopped zapping the missile and failed to destroy it.

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