MIRACL - Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser

MIRACL MID-INFRARED ADVANCED CHEMICAL LASER First conceived in 1983 when President Ronald Reagan launched the Star Wars defense program, the weapon called MIRACL - Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser is thought to be the most powerful laser ever made. Firing a beam six feet wide, it has been steadily improved until it is now thought to be steady enough to hit satellites. However, for the scientists who have been designing the laser at the White Sands base in the New Mexico desert, they want to show that the laser can not only demolish spy satellites, but also fast-moving aircraft and missiles. The U.S. military are desperate to find out what effect atmospheric conditions might have on the beam and how quickly it could disable, or vaporise, a moving object. Arms control experts have warned, however, that a test could start a global race to develop similiar weapons. "Shooting a satellite is shooting ourselves in the foot," said John Pike, of the Federation of American Scientists. "The U.S. is extremely dependent on intelligence satellites.