Evolutionary Air and Space Global Laser Engagement

The Evolutionary Air and space Global Laser Engagement (EAGLE) is a new plan being developed by the United States Air Force.

The project is a combination of two separate missile defense efforts: the Aerospace Relay Mirror System and a new, high-altitude airship. The project is designed as a means to destroy enemy missiles before they would have the opportunity to hit targets on American soil. It involves using either ground-based, air-based or space-based lasers deflected off a massive airship (roughly 25 times the size of the Goodyear blimp) covered in mirrors that could destroy missiles but also satellites or spacecraft in a low-earth orbit.

The first tests of the airship were scheduled to begin in 2006.

External links

* [http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviation/article/0,12543,583484,00.html "Popular Science" article on the project]
* [http://www.defensetech.org/archives/000742.html Defense Tech article on the project]