MIRACL - Definition and Overview

MIRACL, or Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser, is the only successful energy weapon developed by the SDI program. Using an ethylene-based reaction, the laser can produce over a megawatt of output for 70 seconds, making it the most powerful laser in the US. It is still in a prototype state but its goal is to be able to track and destroy ballistic missiles.

In 1997, amid much controversy, MIRACL was tested against a US Air Force satellite in orbit. The satellite was disabled but the Air Force did not get the data from the satellite it had hoped for.

For more information, see http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/asat/miracl.htm