Military laser systems from Northrop Grumman to protect Navy helicopters from shoulder-fired missiles

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display.articles.military-aerospace-electronics.online-news-2.2010.8.military-laser_systems.QP129867.dcmp=rss.page=1.html

Stinger and Igla have dual-mode seekers that blend infrared and ultraviolet sensors able to distinguish aircraft from flare countermeasures. To defeat these advanced anti-aircraft missiles, something more sophisticated is necessary, such as the Guardian directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system, which uses ultraviolet sensors to detect incoming missiles, and a laser to defeat the missile's guidance system. Guardian directs a laser at the incoming missile's seeker to cause guidance errors and induce the missile to fly harmlessly off course.