Quote (Queso @ Jun 2 2011 07:10pm)
the military has lasers strong enough to destroy incoming missiles/planes etc in like 5 seconds
Untrue statement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_YAL-1The laser mounted on the Boeing 747-400F is not reliable enough to be used in a combat zone.
Quote
The Air Force has not requested any further funds for the Airborne Laser and Air Force Chief Schwartz has said that the system "does not reflect something that is operationally viable.”
Use against other targets
In theory, the ABL could be used against hostile fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, or even low-earth-orbit satellites (see anti-satellite weapon). However, as they are not its intended target, the capability against them is unknown. The ABL infrared target acquisition system is designed to detect the hot exhaust of TBMs in boost phase. Satellites and other aircraft could have a much lower heat signature, making them more difficult to detect. An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists discusses potential ABL use against low earth orbit satellites.
Use against ground targets seems unlikely. Aside from the difficulty of acquiring and tracking a ground target, firing through the dense atmosphere would weaken the beam. Ground targets such as armored vehicles are not fragile enough to be damaged by a megawatt-class laser. Another program, the Advanced Tactical Laser, envisions air-to-ground use of a megawatt-class laser mounted on an aircraft better suited for low altitude flight.
So yes, theoretically the lasers should be strong enough to disable aircraft/missiles. However, it would not destroy them in seconds, nor has it been done in testing.