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Saint-Gaudens

U.S. anti-missile laser passes critical test

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, April 4, 2001

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has demonstrated a crucial component in the development of an anti-missile airborne laser.

The ABL program aims to develop a system that can destroy ballistic missiles and their launchers through a beam of a high-energy laser. Leading U.S. companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and TRW are involved in the program.

Executives said Raytheon has achieved what they termed a crucial milestone in the development of the beam control/fire control system, Middle East Newsline reported. The system is meant to fire the laser at the target missile during its initial boost phase from ranges of hundreds of kilometers away.

The milestone was the first "light test" of the Track Illuminator Laser at a facility El Segundo, Calif. The TILL, one of four critical lasers in the ABL, was the first to demonstrate that it can project powerful pulses of light on a small section of a missile and obtain data of the target's speed, elevation and probable point of impact.

Executives said the test demonstrated the power of the fire control system, which operated for 30 minutes, far more than expected. Lockheed Martin is developing the fire control system. The high-energy chemical-oxygen-iodine laser will be provided by TRW.

"This is a brand new technology and the test proves the design is valid," Lockheed Martin ABL program manager Paul Shattuck said. "For the ABL program we pushed both sides of the equation — a more sensitive sensor and a more powerful illuminator laser. This reduced the development risk because the components can compensate for each other."

The TILL is scheduled to be delivered later this year for integration by Lockheed Martin. A full test of the ABL, the prime contractor of which is Boeing, will take place next year. Boeing supplies the 747-400 freighter aircraft and the battle management, command and control system.

Wednesday, April 4, 2001


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