[Reaganesque]

Meanwhile, a US defense contractor has created the first 100-kW laser weapon that runs on a ship's existing electrical system and can reliably shoot down targets as small as mortar rounds. Comparatively speaking, Mach 10 is standing still to a anti-missile laser system.

Here's a picture of the system:

But then, Mr. Obama may think that's an unfair advantage for us to have...

[ataDude]

You forgot... “and he’ll probably cancel any effective program, including this one.”

[Freeport]

For the light beam itself this is true. But for the beam steering and tracking systems, it’s not trivial.