[UPDATED] First high-power system test for Airborne Laser

An Airborne Laser parked in a hangar at Edwards AFB fired a high-energy laser for the first time last week, blasting a range simulator diagnostic system for a fraction of a second.

Boeing program manager Mike Rinn just spoke to reporters by teleconference. Here are some key points from my notes.

• Boeing wants to expand the Airborne Laser's target set from ballistic missiles to smaller targets, such as aircraft and cruise missiles. The multi-mission concept is the subject of ongoing funding discussions with the Missile Defense Agency.
  
• The required changes for the multi-mission capability involve adjusting the target acquisition system for lighter termal signatures, as well as connecting the ABL to off-board radar platforms, such as AWACS.
  
• There is still no money in the budget for building a "Tail-2" -- a second ABL based on the 747-8. But Boeing is not giving up hope: "It's important that we keep this momentum going for this critical technology that the US has developed and move this into a second tail as soon as we can," Rinn says.
• Flight tests start in the spring and the first in-flight shootdown test is still on track for late summer/early fall.
• Is the shootdown test a make-or-break event? Rinn: "I'd be foolish if I said it wasn't that important ... Even though we have brought down the risk with all the parts of the weapon system, there's nothing like ... flaming wreckage there to show the world that this is viable and that it works."
• The ground test last week revealed problems with a "handful" of safety sensors, which require adjustments.
• Ammonia required for long-duration tests is "prepped and ready to go," but not expected to be added to the mixture until late December/early January.

UPDATED: Boeing may be interested in a multi-mission ABL, but the Missile Defense Agency is not. I just talked to the MDA spokesman: "That may be Boeing's plan but MDA's emphasis [for ABL] is only on ballistic missile defense in the boost phase." A decision on funding for a second ABL is "not going to be determined until after we have the shootdown obviously," the spokesman said.