Laser test successfully destroys two rockets simultaneously

WASHINGTON -- The first attempt of the Tactical High Energy Laser to knock out mutiple rockets has been successful.

The $250-million U.S.-manufactured THEL is a high-energy laser weapon which destroys targets with beams of intense light and is designed to protect Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Middle East Newsline reported.

On Wednesday, the THEL successfully shot down two Russian-built test rockets at one time, the U.S. Army said.

Monday's test at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico was the first trial of the THEL against multiple rockets in the air at the same time. Rockets simulating the Katyusha rockets fired by Iranian-backed Hizbullah guerrillas from Lebanon into northern Israel were traveling 16-km trajectories at more than 330 meters a second when destroyed by the laser, spokeswoman Gerda Sherrill said.

The THEL system which includes a pointer-tracker, command center and fire-control radar is tentatively scheduled to be delivered to Israel by the end of February.

However, if Israel and the United States reach agreement on more funding for joint development of a more mobile version dubbed MTHEL, officials said the delivery of the THEL would be postponed for at least another year. In that case, the THEL -- which includes a fire-control radar, pointer-tracker and command center that take up several truck-sized shipping containers -- would remain at White Sands for additional development, testing and evaluation.

The next tests of the THEL are scheduled for Sept. 8 or 11.