Doubts persist for laser-based ballistic missile defence
Kinetic weapons are still the best option for intercepting ballistic missiles in their initial boost phase despite recent indications this could be performed by directed energy weapons, the Pentagon's top official for research and engineering has said.
Speaking at a directed energy summit on 21 March, Michael Griffin, the Pentagon's under secretary of defence for research and engineering, told the audience that he still has questions when it comes to using high-energy lasers to down ballistic missiles during their initial flight phase.
'With airborne boost phase defence though, frankly, I think the most practical near-term approach is by kinetic means, especially
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