Raytheon develops microbeam to defend airliners

Raytheon has developed a high-powered microwave beam to defend airliners from missiles.

"Vigilant Eagle,'' uses a network of infrared sensors to set up a protective dome' around an airport. When a surface-to-air missile is detected, a billboard-sized microwave gun blasts the missile with a high-energy microwave beam, confusing its guidance system and preventing it from finding its target.

More details: Seattle Times