July 18, 2007 :: News
The Airborne Laser (ABL) recently passed a milestone test involving the successful tracking of a target, compensated for atmospheric turbulence and simulated the firing of a missile-killing laser. During the July 13 test at Edwards Air Force Base, the ABL identified and tracked a target on a modified KC-135 aircraft named Big Crow. The Big Crow target aicraft fired a beacon laser at the ABL aircraft, the ABL was able to measure and compensate for laser beam distortion caused by the atmosphere. The ABL then simulated the firing of a high-energy laser that would destroy the target. In the next test the ABL will use its own beacon illuminator laser, as opposed to one on the Big Crow, to measure the atmospheric distortion. Provided those tests proceed as planned and funding for the program is not cut by the Congress, a high energy "kill" laser will be installed on the ABL. The ABL's first full intercept test, currently scheduled for 2009, would destroy an in-flight missile with its laser. The House Armed Services Committee recently slashed $250 million from the ABL's budget, however, leaving only $298 million of the requested $549 million. (Article)
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