U.S. Army Tests Laser Missile Defense System

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The U.S. Army has been testing a laser-based missile
defense system offered to Israel.
Officials said the Laser Centurion demonstrator, designed by Raytheon,
has been tested at the army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The
system, designed for point-defense against short-range missiles, mortars and
rockets, replaced the 20 mm cannon on the Phalanx ship-based artillery.
"At [short range] it's a nice deterrent, and without the big bang of a
gun," Lt. Shawn Mitchell, assistant officer in charge of the Naval Surface
Warfare Center, said.