The Army should complete the first round of tests of the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser by October. This is a smaller (and therefore portable) version of the Tactical High Energy Laser which has shot down 23 Katyusha rockets in tests. The Israelis want to keep a high power level and are insisting on a somewhat larger and heavier design than the US Army wants. The Army says it is satisfied that the lower power output can handle the assigned targets and would be more mobile. Israel wants more power so that a given laser can cover a broader area.--Stephen V Cole