WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill said at a DC think tank that the agency invests heavily in directed energy to intercept ballistic missiles during boost phase.
"What we are doing is in parallel with our kinetic interceptors… we're making a lot of investments in directed energy," Hill said on Wednesday.
In June, MDA issued a request for information from the defense industry for the feasibility of developing a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft with the ability to carry a high energy laser weapon for boost phase intercept. HALE is expected to cruise at 63,000 with an operational laser by 2023.
Meanwhile, US House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen said in a statement that he introduced a bill to fund national and missile defense for the entire fiscal year.
"The Continuing Resolution will fund national defense for the entire fiscal year and provide additional funds for missile defense," Frelinghuysen said on Wednesday.