MAY 2016 | 27 exploration, Skinner said. Government agencies worldwide want safeguards for their space assets in what remains an unregulated environment, Skinner said. Boeing offers the interrelated use of radio frequencies, satellite dishes and telescopes to address this matter, sharing with the commercial sector existing technology that already supports military interests. “We’re convinced that the customer is ready to do things that matter in a cost-effective way,” Skinner said. “It’s an international kind of thing; we’re working closely with people in Europe. It’s a role Boeing can step into quickly.” Engineers and scientists feel a sense of urgency to test out their tracking systems and weapon concepts. The next step is to put these systems to use, enhancing national security and defense missions among other pressing needs, Boeing Albuquerque leaders say. Maybe then, according to DeYoung, the lingering perception that lasers are somehow geared only for a futuristic world, that these narrow, colorful bands of light remain an untapped resource still years from making a difference, will diffuse. “One of the comments attributed to laser weapons drives me crazy— that they’re weapons of the future and they always will be,” DeYoung said. “Lasers are available today. We’re trying to break that paradigm, that mindset. It’s now.” • DANIEL.W.RALEY@BOEING.COM
Frontiers May 2016 Issue
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