Re: REALLY Hi-tech weaponry
The technology to create ionized channels in the air seems implausible, but apparently works. One would think a laser powerful enough to ionize hundreds of feet of air would punch a hole through the person at the other end.
Another possible stealth weapons aspect of this idea might be to plant a remote-controlled ionization laser at a target building, pointing straight up, wait for a thunderstorm, and make an ionized conductive air channel straight up. Zap! It looks like an Act of God, and the lethal device is obliterated.