The Airborne Laser (ABL) is being developed as an integral part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System designed to protect the United States, its allies, and its deployed troops from a ballistic missile attack. Using a megawatt-class Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) housed aboard a modified Boeing 47-400 Freighter, the Airborne Laser’s mission is to detect, track, target, and destroy ballistic missiles during their boost-phase, or shortly after launch. Its revolutionary use of directed energy makes it unique among the United States' airborne weapon systems, with a potential to attack at the speed of light at a range of hundreds of kilometers.
Overview
The Airborne Laser program brings together a combination of technologies: a 747 aircraft, an advanced detection and tracking system, adaptive optics, and a revolutionary high energy laser, all of which are being integrated into a single weapon system for the first time.
Operational Sequence
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The Airborne Laser uses six strategically placed infrared sensors to detect the exhaust plume of a boosting missile.
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Once a target is detected, a kilowatt-class laser, the Track Illuminator, tracks the missile and determines a precise aim point.
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The Beacon Illuminator, a second kilowatt-class laser, then measures disturbances in the atmosphere, which are corrected by the adaptive optics system to accurately point and focus the high energy laser at its intended target.
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Using a very large telescope located in the nose turret, the beam control/fire control system focuses the megawattclass laser beam onto a pressurized area of the boosting missile, holding it there until the concentrated energy causes the missile to break apart.
Development
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Testing was completed on the High Energy Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser on December 6, 2005. The laser was fired continuously for more than 10 seconds at a power level sufficient to destroy a hostile ballistic missile at operational ranges.
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The Low Power System Integration-active flight test series was successfully completed on Aug. 23, 2007 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. During the test, ABL used all three of the aircraft's laser systems to detect, track, and then engaged a target mounted on a test aircraft with a low-power laser that is serving as a surrogate for the high-power laser, and therefore demonstrating all steps required to support a ballistic missile intercept.
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ABL has begun integration of the High Energy Laser system on the aircraft. Upon completion, the aircraft will undergo additional ground and flight tests prior to the lethal demonstration against a boosting missile in 2009.