Background:
Within the past decade,
ballistic missiles -- such as Scuds used by Iraq during Desert
Storm -- have emerged as major threats to American armed forces.
This threat has already taken American lives -- 28 in a single
attack, the most U.S. or allied casualties from any attack during
the Persian Gulf War. 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. The Air Force envisions a fleet of
seven ABL aircraft, rapidly deployable anywhere around the globe
to provide a strong deterrent to any potential use of ballistic
missiles.
Customer:
U.S. Air Force Aeronautical
Systems Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Washington, D.C.
Contract
Details:
- $1.3
Billion Program Definition & Risk Reduction (PDRR) contract
- Awarded
Nov. 12, 1996 to Team ABL
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.
Team
ABL Members/Responsibilities:
Boeing
Space & Communications, Seattle, Wash.
- Overall
program management and systems integration
- Development
of ABL battle management system
- Modification
of 747 aircraft
- Design
and development of ground support subsystems
Lockheed
Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif.
- Design,
development and production of ABL target acquisition, and
beam control and fire control systems
Northrop Grumman
Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif.
- Design,
development and production of the ABL high-energy laser
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