Advancing technology at the speed of light 1996 – U.S. Air Force awards contract to Boeing-led team to 2007 – During active flight tests, the Airborne Laser Test Bed develop the Airborne Laser. homes in on, tracks and then fires a low-power test laser at a target board attached to an Air Force test aircraft. 2001 – The Air Force acquires a Boeing 747-400 Freighter, retired by Air India, and the aircraft’s wingless fuselage was used 2008 – The Airborne Laser team completes installation of the to test the system’s components in the System Integration high-energy COIL in the aircraft and begins firing the Laboratory at the Edwards Air Force Base Birk Flight Test laser in ground testing. Center in California. The chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) in the lab was fired successfully more than 50 times. 2009 – The Airborne Laser begins flight tests in April with the entire weapon system integrated aboard the aircraft. 2002 – After completing major modifications to a new 747-400F, In August, the high-energy laser fires for the first time known as YAL-1, the aircraft makes its first flight from in flight. Boeing Wichita on July 18. 2010 – After tracking and engaging a target rocket during January 2004 – “First light” of the chemical oxygen iodine laser is achieved and destroying a ground-launch research rocket in early in ground testing, along with the first flight of the Airborne February, the Airborne Laser successfully destroys a boosting Laser aircraft fitted with the battle management and ballistic missile off the coast of California on Feb. 10. Less beam/fire control systems. than an hour later, the system engages a second solid fuel short-range missile to meet all test criteria. 2005 – While aircraft flight tests continue, the team fires the Airborne Laser’s high-energy laser at lethal power and 2012 – The Airborne Laser Test Bed aircraft is flown on Feb. 14 duration in ground tests. from Edwards Air Force Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where it is in storage with the 309th 2006 – The team completes modifications YAL-1 to accept the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. COIL’s modules and integrate the system’s two solid-state illuminator lasers into the beam/fire control system on board the aircraft. BOEING FRONTIERS / AUGUST 2012 31
Frontiers August 2012 Issue
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