Money for an experimental airborne laser was also approved.

One potential system for this use might be an airborne laser, being tested on the Boeing YAL-1 which was later cancelled.

The request will include restructuring missile defense programs to speed development of technologies that the Bush administration considers promising, including airborne and space-based lasers.

The additional money could accelerate research in other fields, supporters of missile defense argue, including naval defenses, airborne lasers and space-based weapons.

The first test of the airborne laser is scheduled in 2003.

In theory, an airborne laser could be used against hostile fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, or even low-earth-orbit satellites (see anti-satellite weapon).

The U.S. government attempts to break the larger of the two fragments apart with airborne lasers.

Russia is still developing the military airborne laser mounted in a A-60.

It is an airborne laser based on a Beriev A-60 aircraft.