Keep in mind US pilots are frequently flying training missions against targets we create just to have something to engage with. Shooting down these balloons does not necessarily need to be a net cost increase.

Is it effective practice to shoot targets that don't camouflage, don't maneuver, don't evade, don't shoot back?

It's the aerial equivalent of a shooting range.

Does firing a gun at a static target teach you anything about shooting?

> Is it effective practice to shoot targets that don't camouflage, don't maneuver, don't evade, don't shoot back?

You mean, like balloons?

Still have to take off, navigate, talk to ATC, talk to wingman, talk to AWACS, send/receive target data, maneuver, sensor lock, fire, maneuver... Not exactly a top gun mission, but good practice.

Just book it as a training exercise ;-)

Ground lasers unlikely to be effective at the balloon altitudes, and especially with atmospheric interference (eg. weather, moisture, etc). Airborne and/or space-based lasers are a different story and may work well when they're ready to be deployed. I believe the plan-based solutions are in trials.

I was interested in checking whether any treaties exist to limit the use of space based lasers.. and surprised to see that there are no rules against using them.

https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/ils/vol93/iss1/6/

I would be sincerely surprised if there were any treaties, since I don't think any space lasers have ever been used.

There's one in place for WMDs, and I don't think one was ever delivered from space.

Of the Gentile variety, anyway