[Righty_McRight]

Airborne Laser

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Ok , let's get 10 of them up in the sky as soon as possible.

[ChadGore]

With laser beams ?

[Prophet in the wilderness]

To: Boeing , Airlines, and the US Government.
To keep cost down of this project in the short term, a good idea is to buy surplus or low service life cycled aircraft ( as long as the planes meet specific requirements as in how many cycles the plane has gone though, and maintenance was done to the aircraft ) from the airlines, and retrofit them with this laser.
Since the planes could be bought from the airlines, that will free up the airlines to order the new 747 Advanced from Boeing, and since the Government won't have to buy new 747s ( unless there is a need for new 747s ) the government can deploy more 747/laser units , or save on cost on the program in the short term.
Just being innovative and finding ways to reduce cost.

[Wiz]

I never dreamed to see laser weapons in my life time.

[shekkian]

Good shot, Red Two!!!

[Junior]

Not quite. Laser light is invisible from the side...

[Prophet in the wilderness]

How many 747s would the DoD need ? 20 ?
How much would this program cost ?
A new 747 - 400 cost around $ 275 million a piece.
The US government ( DoD ) can get a good used 747 from a airline from around ( a estimated or guess estimated cost of )$ 100 million ? maybe less ? .
Lets say they need 20-747s, at about $ 100 million a piece, that's $ 2 billion.
Lets say the whole program initially would cost $ 4 or 5 billion, funded over 5 or 10 years, 5 years, $ 1 billion a year, 10 years, $ 500 million a year to fund the program.
Thats inexspendsive for a program that would protect our country from missiles threats.

[Constantine XIII]

Suh-weet!