[sam_paine]

I suspect that if it was a malfunction, it had help, and if it wasn't a malfunction, there's an Aegis cruiser with one or more empty VLS cells that weren't empty this morning.

I still want to vote for ABL. That'd be really cool. Just a bunch of NK generals called on the carpet in front of Ronery, some aerospace NK scientists executed for their "losing face," Russian and Chinese generals wondering if we've got Star Wars in play, and the USAF flying around somewhere whistling Dixie and holding an Alfred E Neuman picture up to the cockpit window!

Meanwhile, America launches 30 yr old technology into orbit with a bunch of styrofoam falling off and millions of pounds of thrust to offset it.

Damn. Dare to dream!!! I'll drink a toast to USAF Cap'n Luke Skywalker (Jr.) just in case! Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY Kimmy! Enjoy your Terrier Filet while you can!

[Spktyr]

Alas, the ABL isn't flyable yet. The airplane's flyable, but the laser hasn't been installed in the airframe yet.