Flight of the Old Dog by Dale Brown

Flight of the Old Dog - The Russians have developed a laser far in advance of the US.  When a

surveillance plane and a US satellite are destroyed by the laser, the US condemns the laser. The Russians not only deny the existance of the laser but continue to use it.  After the base where US experimental planes are developed is attacked, the latest plane, Old Dog, is rescued and the crew decides on their own to attack the Russian laser.