[USAF_TSgt]

Ahhh, the problem is keeping it (whatever material that reflects the mid-infrared) from melting from the friction as it moves through the thick lower atmosphere. Also, once you get into mid-infrared (starting at around 2.5 microns up to about 8 microns), the nature of materials changes from reflective to emissive. Most objects, especially moderately warm ones, no longer reflect energy, but emit it as well. The mid-infrared laser adds to this energy, basically adding gasoline to a fire.

[Carry_Okie]

I would think that there were some ceramic coatings that might not have too much of a problem with that, or would perhaps sluff. Then there is the idea of a gas envelope of adsorptive material that would hold the heat behind the rocket. How long would it have to evade being fried before it got to its target, given that aquistion, tracking, targeting and firing, especially on multiple incoming targets, all take time?