A Weapon Isn't A Weapon Until It Can Be Delivered

"I have seen some information that would suggest that they [Iran] have been actively working on delivery systems ... You don't have a weapon until you put it in something that can deliver a weapon."

Those words from outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who says, while Iran may be making noises as if it will give up its nuclear weapons program, Tehran may not be ready to stop developing a way to get a warhead to target. Powell was speaking to reporters en route to an Asia-Pacific economic summit in Chile.

"There is no doubt in my mind ... they have been interested in a nuclear weapon that has utility, meaning that it is something they would be able to deliver, not just something that sits there," Powell said.

Some experts used Powell's comments to hypothesize that Iran was looking for a way to miniaturize its warheads to fit on ballistic missiles.

Powell meets with Iranian officials next week in Egypt, where he'll be attending an international conference.

Thursday, ANN reported the Air Force and Boeing are about to start a series of tests on an airborne anti-missile laser system. Using two modified 747s flying over friendly countries, the laser system sends a powerful, highly-focused beam of light to the most fragile parts of ballistic missiles as they're boosting toward space.

FMI: www.af.mil