Boeing’s Airborne Laser (ABL) has moved one step closer to becoming a viable weapon after completing its initial laser activation testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California just over a month ago.
The testing involved flowing inert fluids through the laser to test its integrity before the final materials are used in the six chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) modules. Each COIL module weighs roughly 4,500lb (2,000kg) and is the size of a 4x4 vehicle standing on its end.
When the activation tests are complete, ground firings of the laser will take place followed by flight tests of the entire ABL weapon system.
The ABL aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-400F with the megawatt-class high-energy laser, designed and built by Northrop Grumman, mounted in the back. The beam control/fire control (BC/FC) system, developed by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, provided by Boeing, is mounted in the front.
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The BC/FC system comprises 127 mirrors, lenses and windows, many of which are unique to the ABL. It performs two functions, controlling the high- and low-energy laser beams and locking on to the missile target. The system then tracks the missile, compensates for atmospheric distortion and points the high-energy laser on to the missile's fuel tank, causing it to rupture.
Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, says: “The ABL's missile shoot-down demonstration is now planned for 2009. Once complete the ABL should be able to destroy ballistic missiles while they are in the boost phase of their flight.”
The ABL is also designed to destroy air-to-air, cruise and surface-to-air missiles.
Source: Flight International