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Airborne Laser Completes 1st Test Against Missile
Boeing Missile Defense Systems ^
| Aug. 13, 2009
| Marc Selinger, Chuck Cadena
Posted on 08/14/2009 10:46:14 PM PDT by gandalftb
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There have been a number of previous FR posts regarding the weapons-grade laser that is now operational.
Within a year we will be able to deploy fully operational weapons grade lasers able to knock down any missile, hundreds of miles away in the boost phase. This is the first missile defense of its kind.
N Korea, Iran, whomever, their missiles will be useless. This is the game changer.
1
posted on
08/14/2009 10:46:15 PM PDT
by
gandalftb
To: gandalftb
The ABL has been in development for quite awhile, believe it or not.. it was really got going during the Clinton Administration.
Time will tell if Obama would allow this system to be fully developed.
2
posted on
08/14/2009 10:49:10 PM PDT
by
Kitanis
To: gandalftb
3
posted on
08/14/2009 10:49:24 PM PDT
by
wastedyears
(The Tree is thirsty and the hogs are hungry.)
To: phantomworker
4
posted on
08/14/2009 10:55:31 PM PDT
by
null and void
(We are now in day 205 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
To: gandalftb
The test managed to get a tagging laser to illuminate the test missile. How steadily is not stated.
Being able to illuminate a hostile missile would greatly help antimissile missiles to home in on it. This would probably be more practical than trying to burn the missile down with a laser from hundreds of miles away, particularly when weather makes the atmosphere almost opaque.
5
posted on
08/14/2009 10:57:23 PM PDT
by
HiTech RedNeck
(When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
To: wastedyears
ABL 747 cutaway.
6
posted on
08/14/2009 10:58:23 PM PDT
by
myknowledge
(F-22 Raptor: World's Largest Distributor of Sukhoi parts!)
To: gandalftb
ABL is all part of the Intergrated Ballistic Missile System
7
posted on
08/14/2009 10:58:36 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("We will either find a way, or make one."-Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
To: myknowledge
And they said it couldn’t be done!
8
posted on
08/14/2009 10:59:21 PM PDT
by
libsrscum
(Obama causes cancer.)
To: gandalftb
" This is the game changer. "
Yes, at the speed of light !!!
Let's hope they can get this system up to operational status in one year, and lets hope they can produce more than one 747 with this system.
Here is a deal for airlines/Boeing/and the Air force.
Boeing is looking for more new orders for the new version of the 747-8I Intercontinental ... so far, only 20 + 20 more options for one airline so far.
How many of these systems could, would the Air Force need or use ? .... 10 ? 20 ? 30 ? ....
Have the Air force buy any good used 747 from airlines or cargo companies and convert them to this system...
9
posted on
08/14/2009 10:59:47 PM PDT
by
Prophet in the wilderness
(PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
To: libsrscum
" And they said it couldnt be done! "
Need to clarify that more....
They as in, Reagan's critics, Main Stream Media, Liberals, Democrats, and didn't Obama say these systems are useless ? a waste of money ?
To: libsrscum
You can fire a laser from any target as long it is enough power and has a tracking mirror. If you are firing from space you need a larger mirror. White Sands Missile Range has the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility.
11
posted on
08/14/2009 11:04:30 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("We will either find a way, or make one."-Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
To: sonofstrangelove
The ABL range is about 360 miles for liquid-fueled missiles, while the aircraft loiters at an altitude of 40,000ft. That covers all of N Korea and the outer 2/3 of Iran.
12
posted on
08/14/2009 11:04:55 PM PDT
by
gandalftb
(An appeaser feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last......)
To: libsrscum
They tagged the missile.
Keeping enough laser on it steadily to burn it up, despite intervening clouds and any reflective/refractory coating on the missile itself, is another thing.
13
posted on
08/14/2009 11:05:12 PM PDT
by
HiTech RedNeck
(When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
To: gandalftb
My information on the the Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL) weapons system is a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser It is primarily designed as a missile defense system to destroy tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), while in boost phase. The low-power lasers have been test-fired in flight, aimed at an airborne target board.In theory, the ABL could be used against hostile fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, or even low-earth-orbit satellites (see anti-satellite weapon). However, as they are not its intended target, the capability against them is unknown.
14
posted on
08/14/2009 11:08:08 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("We will either find a way, or make one."-Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
To: HiTech RedNeck
We’ll be shooting at 40,000 feet and weather won’t be as much an issue. Liquid fuel will be the easiest to knock down by hitting the big tanks. Solid-fuel knock down would be about half the maximum range.
15
posted on
08/14/2009 11:09:16 PM PDT
by
gandalftb
(An appeaser feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last......)
To: gandalftb
16
posted on
08/14/2009 11:09:18 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("We will either find a way, or make one."-Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
To: sonofstrangelove
Liquid-fuel tanks are obviously the easiest to light up. You’re right, there is no end to the available targets. Certainly we will be making major improvements in power and target aquisition.
17
posted on
08/14/2009 11:11:46 PM PDT
by
gandalftb
(An appeaser feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last......)
To: gandalftb
I agree. The military applications of the new weapons is endless.
18
posted on
08/14/2009 11:13:33 PM PDT
by
ErnstStavroBlofeld
("We will either find a way, or make one."-Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
To: gandalftb
If well above clouds, that would work better to be sure.
I hope some hapless jet liner isn’t in the way, as they cruise at such altitudes.
Also, I wonder if bright plating all external surfaces of the missile that are not already refractory would be an effective countermeasure.
19
posted on
08/14/2009 11:13:42 PM PDT
by
HiTech RedNeck
(When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
To: sonofstrangelove
Imagine what could be smoked on the ground.
20
posted on
08/14/2009 11:14:12 PM PDT
by
HiTech RedNeck
(When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
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