The Beam Control / Fire Control System tracks the target , determines range to the target , compensates for atmospheric turbulence and focuses and directs the High Energy Laser beam . Lower-energy lasers -- the Track Illuminator Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser -- determine where to point and focus the High Energy Laser . The High Energy Laser beam passes through an optical path before exiting through the conformal window on the nose of the aircraft on its way to the target .