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Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed Team Destroys Boosting Ballistic Missile
Airborne Laser Testbed Successful in Lethal Intercept Experiment
Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed Team Fires High-Energy Laser in Flight
Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed Team Completes 1st Airborne Test Against Instrumented Target Missile
Overview
The Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) will locate and track missiles in the boost phase of their flight, then accurately point and fire the high-energy laser, destroying enemy missiles near their launch areas.
Capabilities:
- Operates autonomously, above the clouds, outside the range of threat weapons but sufficiently close to enemy territory
- Engages early, destroying ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight over launch area
- Cues and tracks targets, communicating with other joint theater assets for layered defense system
Unique Technology:
- Nose-mounted turret with 1.5m telescope that focuses beams on missile and collects return image and signals
- Beam Control System to acquire and track targets with precision accuracy
Look for further developments of the ALTB as the global threat of ballistic missiles becomes ever more prevalent.
For more information, read the Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) (PDF) overview, the Missile Defense Agency Airborne Laser Testbed Fact Sheet and the Defense Daily (PDF) Supplement on ALTB.
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