Laser fizzles" IEDs, rendering them harmless.

• Position: TECHWIRE

Boeing researchers have demonstrated that the company's laser weapon system can destroy improvised explosive devices while mounted to a combat vehicle.

The Laser Avenger, which Boeing has been developing for the past three years, neutralized 50 IEDs during September tests in Huntsville, Ala. The same system shot aerial drones from the sky during testing in 2008.

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Boeing is touting the Avenger as a way for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to eliminate IED threats without leaving their vehicles or waiting for explosive ordnance disposal teams to arrive. In Huntsville, developers tested the laser, which was mounted to a humvee, against large-caliber artillery munitions, as well as smaller bombs and mortar rounds. The product plugs into a vehicle's alternator, meaning that it's mainly powered by gasoline. This is a potential concern because of the high cost of transporting fuel to Afghanistan, though Boeing contends the laser won't significantly affect fuel consumption.

Last month, the company announced it would be integrating the system into an...