TRW has created a laser weapon that can shoot down rockets and artillery shells in flight. I’m not particularly sanguine about the long term prospects of this weapon as a useful deterrent against rockets and artillery used by decently equipped armies, but it’s still pretty cool. And it could prove very useful in one of its intended uses — defending towns in Israel against mortar and rocket attacks by groups operating out of the occupied territories and southern Lebanon. Unfortunately, it’s still at the proof of concept stage. I link to this mainly because I find it interesting that laser weapons look to be close to finding a practical application. Just another example of real life catching up with sci fi.