Airborne Laser Overview

Background:

Within the past decade, ballistic missiles — such as Scuds — have emerged as major threats to American and friendly armed forces. As of early 1998, at least 30 nations were known to have more than 10,000 ballistic missiles in their arsenals and the threat is growing daily. Several of these countries are also known to be pursuing development or to have developed nuclear, chemical and biological capabilities for their missiles.

System Description:

High-energy chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) carried aboard a modified Boeing 747-400F freighter. Capable of autonomous operation at altitudes above the clouds, the Airborne Laser (ABL) 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.

Customer:

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Washington, D.C.
The Air Force Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
Strategic Command, Omaha, NE

Contract Details:

A contract for Program Definition & Risk Reduction (PDRR) was awarded Nov. 12, 1996 to Team ABL by USAF
ABL transferred to Missile Defense Agency in October 2001 and converted to capability based acquisition

Contract Requirements:

Design, produce, integrate and flight test the first prototype ABL demonstration system.
Perform successful boost-phase shoot-down of a theater ballistic missile.