A fledgling directed-energy effort aims to create a ground-based laser prototype that can protect bases from airborne threats before scaling it up to fly on an aircraft, according to an Air Force request for solutions this week. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is partnering with the Army's Training and Readiness Accelerator on the High-Energy Laser Flexible Prototype program. Inside Defense reported in October using the consortium allows the effort to move from solicitation to contract within three...