Posted on 07/17/2007 11:49:10 AM PDT by ZGuy
A MODIFIED Boeing 747 designed to be part of an emerging US antimissile shield has successfully completed an important flight test, the Pentagon's Missile Defence Agency and Boeing said today.
To simulate an intercept, the prototype Airborne Laser actively tracked an airborne target, compensated for atmospheric turbulence and fired a "surrogate" for a missile-zapping high-energy laser, they said.
"We have now demonstrated most of the steps needed for the Airborne Laser to engage a threat missile and deliver precise and lethal effects against it," said Pat Shanahan, a vice president at Boeing, the prime contractor.
The airborne laser is to be the first warplane relying entirely on a directed energy device as a weapon. It is designed to destroy an enemy ballistic missile shortly after it is launched, in the "boost phase" of its flight path.
The aircraft fired the tracking laser at the target aircraft, dubbed Big Crow, for the first time on March 15. The test on Friday demonstrated an ability to go from passive tracking of a simulated missile engine "plume" to active tracking, Boeing said.
In addition, the Lockheed Martin Corp. beam control and fire control system was used to offset atmospheric turbulence in conjunction with the active tracking and firing of the device standing in for the chemical oxygen-iodine laser, the company said.
Engineers will start installing the actual high-energy laser, built by Northrop Grumman Corp, in coming months to prepare for the intercept test.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
When are they gonna start making light sabers??????????????
Light sabre? Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.
Congratulations! You win the thread! And so early!
It’s not over yet, kid.
Phasers on stun.
B4L8r
I thought or heard once AF one already has them installed just been hush hush till now I guess. Yup sure has you can see it here. http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/abl/
I always assume that anything I hear about in terms of “the latest military technology” is at least two generations behind where we really are.
Phasers on crispy!
COOOOOOOOOL! It’s about time we started use some of the Alien tech.
Yike !
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