Boeing fires laser aboard aircraft for the first time
May 20, 2008--Boeing has achieved a key milestone for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program by firing a high-energy chemical laser aboard a C-130H aircraft in ground tests for the first time. The successful laser firing occurred May 13 at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
"First firing of the high-energy laser aboard the ATL aircraft shows that the program continues to make good progress toward giving the warfighter an ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage," said Scott Fancher, VP and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems.
After conducting a series of additional laser tests on the ground and in the air, the program will fire the chemical laser in-flight at mission-representative ground targets. The test team will fire the laser through a rotating turret that extends through the aircraft's belly. "Later this year, we will fire the laser in-flight at ground targets, demonstrating the military utility of this transformational directed energy weapon," Fancher said.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.
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