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The Pentagon has signed off on low-rate initial production of the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), kicking off the installation of the first 20 kits. The Pentagon is pursuing a mixed acquisition program owing to problems throughout the AMP program. Boeing, the incumbent contractor, will upgrade five C-130s with AMP under this phase, with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center performing 10 installations. The remaining five will be installed under a source familiarization program by a to-be-selected alternative contractor the government is bringing on because of Boeing’s program execution problems. Boeing says the first two C-130Hs will be inducted into the...

For the first time, after a decade of development, the U.S. Air Force fired its ALT (Airborne Laser Testbed) laser while in flight and hit a rapidly (1,800 meters a second) rising ballistic missile. The laser beam took several seconds to weaken the missile structure, and cause it to come apart. This test came only eight months after the smaller Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) was fired in flight for the first time. The target was some lumber on the ground, which was hit. The ATL weapon was carried in a C-130H four engine transport. Five years ago, manufacturers of combat...

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 23, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] Missile Defense Systems (MDS) has taken delivery of the aircraft for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program, achieving the first of several key milestones in the laser gunship effort. The C-130H transport, which belongs to the U.S. Air Force's 46th Test Wing, was handed over to Boeing on Jan. 18 in Crestview, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. Boeing is modifying the aircraft to enable it to carry a high-energy chemical laser and battle management and beam control subsystems. Boeing will begin flight testing the aircraft this summer with all subsystems...

President George W. Bush on Wednesday waived some defense export restrictions on Libya to allow U.S. companies to participate in destroying Tripoli's chemical weapons and to refurbish eight transport planes. It was another step in improving ties after Libya decided in December 2003 to abandon its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs. In a memorandum to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush said he was waiving some restrictions under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act because it was in the national security interest of the United States. The law restricts defense exports to Libya because the State Department has designated...