The YAL-1A Airborne Laser aircraft completes its first flight. The modified Boeing 747 is being designed to employ a chemical laser to destroy enemy missiles in their boost phases.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
