This system is the THEL laser, joint developed with Israel, placed on an aircraft with targeting lasers added. Very neat.
Yes it is able to handle multiple targets and some of the real interesting applications is hinted at in the articles. If you can target space trash, you can target satellites. This could be one heck of a re loadable anti satellite weapon platform.
As to self defense against incoming. If it can target an ICBM there is nothing smaller or faster out there. Pity the MIG that tries to attack this thing.
As to self defense against incoming. If it can target an ICBM there is nothing smaller or faster out there. Pity the MIG that tries to attack this thing.
Thanks for the info. See my post number 15.
My concern about the self defense aspect is that multiple AAM, fired from surface or air, are not only small and fast, they would be difficult for one laser to handle in the limited time available. It would be likely the ABL platform would have to perform evasive maneuvers, taking its laser out of its field of fire for periods of time, allowing a SCUD or other such missile a launch window. And the chemical laser used has a limited number of shots; be a shame to use 'em up on incoming MiGs and AAM.
My half-joking conclusion in my post 15 hints at what my thoughts are - that the stated purpose (i.e. shooting down missiles) is masking one or more unstated purposes more applicable to a "higher" kind of warfare.