Promethium is necessary for guided weapons and Dysprosium is employed in sonar systems.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Dana Marshall, a mechanical engineer, was working at McDonnell Douglas on solid-state lasers for the military--mainly for targeting laser-guided weapons.

FORBES: Yes, there is a pulse

It was at the old Buckinghamshire RAF base after WWII where the government established its guided weapons programme, producing solid motors and liquid engines.

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It was an open secret, after the Kosovo war, that American commanders were disappointed by their allies' lack of precision-guided weapons, electronic-warfare equipment and secure communications.

ECONOMIST: The war in Afghanistan

In their memorandum they agreed that an integrated European Aerospace and Defence Company should embrace civil, military transport and combat aircraft as well as helicopters, space launchers and guided weapons.

ECONOMIST: European armaments

But only 8% of these bombs were guided weapons.

ECONOMIST: Military technology

Another new tenant: Ionatron, which makes weapons using laser-guided electricity.

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The stated intention in Washington was to pass laser-guided legislation targeted only at wealthy families, but there apparently was some confusion between the pilot and the weapons officer, because the collateral damage will be felt in all American households, rich and poor.

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