Re: So basically what you are saying is....
High-powered COIL will be more likely an offensive weapon than a defensive one? What kinds of targets would be vulnerable to such a thing ? Enemy aircraft? So-called "targets of opportunity" ? Would a COIL be any better than a missile, considering its poor energy efficiency? Perhaps for targets that a missile can't reach in time ? .... like someone radios in "I just spotted Osama and he's on the move, got about 2 minutes until I lose sight of him type of scenario... " ?
Finally, why wouldn't the laser work on a missile that is not in the boost phase? Couldn't the laser compromise the missile aerodynamics and cause it to burn up on re-entry, like shuttle Columbia ?