Deterring North Korea With Laser Drones

The U.S. options to counter a nuclear attack from North Korea don’t include a way to destroy a ballistic missile during the boost phase, when the missile’s engines are still burning brightly and the heat makes it easier to detect and track. In hopes of finding a solution, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency has sought ideas from industry for an unmanned aircraft that would fly at 60,000 feet for long periods and fire a laser to destroy a nuclear-armed missile shortly after launch.
Full story by Tom Risen available at Aerospace America