The 10-kilowatt Zeus is seen as the wave of future. Instead of using consumable, corrosive chemicals like MTHEL, Zeus is based on solid-state heat capacity (SSHC) lasers made with a solid glass rod – a more durable design for battlefield use. A 100-kilowatt version of Zeus is on the drawing board that could blast enemy rockets from roughly 5 miles away.

The US Air Force has an operational system that can destroy ballistic missiles at much greater ranges than that, as discussed in last month’s Popular Science. The US Air Force Airborne Laser (ABL), designated the YAL-1A, is a high energy laser weapon system for the destruction of tactical theatre ballistic missiles that is carried on a modified Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft. Ultimately a fleet of seven of these aircraft will be available for deployment in times of international crisis.