The Airborne Laser was one of 100 products, technologies and scientific achievements selected by the magazine from among thousands of items considered. In addition to receiving the award, in the form of a framed medallion, the Airborne Laser defense system is being highlighted in the magazine's December issue.

A 21st century weapon system, the Airborne Laser will defend against theater ballistic missiles like the Scuds used by Iraq in the Gulf War. It involves a 747 freighter aircraft equipped with a weapon's class laser that can destroy enemy missiles from more than 200 nautical miles away. Flying above 40,000 feet, the aircraft will spot, lock on to and fire a lethal beam of light that can destroy missiles shortly after being launched.

Reflected in the award is a team approach to this system's development. The program is managed by the United States Air Force's Airborne Laser System Program Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. Three contractors are key to its development: Boeing Information Space & Defense Systems of Seattle, Wash., Northrop Grumman Space & Electronics of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Lockheed Martin of Sunnyvale, Calif.

A $1.1 billion Air Force contract was awarded in November 1996 to develop the system and produce the first aircraft. That aircraft is slated to destroy its first missile in a test during 2002. By 2008, seven aircraft could be in operation.

Since the contract was awarded two years ago, the program has been on schedule and within budget. In June the program was given approval to move to the next phase of development ­ finalizing the system's design.