Laser-Equipped B747 Acquired, Destroyed Target
As many times as we've seen a scenario like this played out in
science fiction movies, this one is for real. Boeing, along
with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency
successfully demonstrated the speed, precision and breakthrough
potential of directed-energy weapons Thursday when the Airborne
Laser Testbed (ALTB) engaged and destroyed a boosting ballistic
missile.
File Photo
This experiment marks the first time a laser weapon has engaged
and destroyed an in-flight ballistic missile, and the first time
that any system has accomplished it in the missile's boost phase of
flight. ALTB has the highest-energy laser ever fired from an
aircraft, and is the most powerful mobile laser device in the
world.
"The Airborne Laser Testbed team has made history with this
experiment," said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager
of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "Through its hard work and
technical ingenuity, the government-industry team has produced a
breakthrough with incredible potential. We look forward to
conducting additional research and development to explore what this
unique directed-energy system can do."
During the experiment, the aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-400F,
took off from Edwards Air Force Base and focused its high-energy
laser at the missile target during its boost phase as the aircraft
flew over the Western Sea Range off the coast of California.
File Photo
"We've been saying for some time that the Airborne Laser Testbed
would be a pathfinder for directed energy and would expand options
for policymakers and warfighters," said Michael Rinn, Boeing vice
president and ALTB program director. "With this successful
experiment, the Airborne Laser Testbed has blazed a path for a new
generation of high-energy, ultra-precision weaponry. ALTB
technology and future directed-energy platforms will transform how
the United States defends itself and its friends and allies. Having
the capability to precisely project force, in a measured way, at
the speed of light, will save lives."
MDA officially recognized directed energy's warfare-changing
potential last March, when it awarded its Technology Pioneer Award
to three Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed engineers and three of their
government and industry teammates for advancing key ALTB
technologies.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the Airborne Laser Testbed,
which is designed to provide unprecedented speed-of-light
capability to intercept all classes of ballistic missiles in their
boost phase of flight.
File Photo
Northrop Grumman designed and built ALTB's high-energy laser,
and Lockheed Martin developed the beam control/fire control system.
Boeing provided the aircraft, the battle management system and
overall systems integration and testing.
NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-23
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