Posted on 12/01/2008 12:26:21 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
US aerospace globocorp Boeing is chuffed as ninepence today to announce the first full-power firing of its jumbo-jet-mounted, ICBM-toasting ray cannon - the Airborne Laser (ABL). The system saw "first light" in September, but this is the first time the big laser's knob has been turned up to full.
ABL - if it flies, it fries
"This test demonstrated that the Airborne Laser missile defense program has successfully integrated the entire weapon system aboard the ABL aircraft," said Scott Fancher, jumbo-blaster veep at Boeing.
"The team has now completed the two major milestones it hoped to accomplish in 2008, keeping ABL on track to conduct the missile shootdown demonstration planned for next year."
Zapper-boffins at Boeing will now carry out further ground blasts, gradually extending the amount of time the beam is kept on. Provided that there's no bother with these, flight tests will be the next step - culminating with a shootdown of an actual intercontinental missile.
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
Set beebers to stune!
“Frikkin’ laser beams...”
Is the 747 expected to be the permanent platform, or is that choice just for the proof of concept?
So true Jeff!
He’ll probably move quickly to try and cancel it before the definitive test next year where they use it to shoot down and ICBM.
“an”...not “and”.
I wouldn’t bet against it.
I cringe to think of the generals promotion list the next ‘rat senate will send up. Prancing Princes and one worlders will jump ahead, and our military will be stuck with them for a generation.
Yes, I knew what “boffins” are..........
“Is the 747 expected to be the permanent platform, or is that choice just for the proof of concept?”
Make it smaller and put it on Predator drones.
“Achmed, have you heard the Americans now have friikin laser beams on their drones?” ZAP!!! “Achmed?” “Achmed?”
That used to be one of my favorite games. I’ve tried computer versions of it but nothing compares with that massive softball sized trackball you had to roll to set your target points. I spent many an afternoon in the 7-11 dropping quarters in that machine when I was a kid.
Before we know it, the “real genius” who perfected this laser will be reprogramming the coordinates of the laser’s target to point at a house filled with popcorn kernels that happens to belong to a professor who dupped him into developing this laser... too obscure of a reference?
Why couldn’t you just make 10 a little bit louder?
“Would somebody please translate this into ENGLISH?...............”
That is in English...as spoken on the other side of the pond.
Not if you are in the basement, working on a formula to win the lottery.
I can see them losing it to Airbus - like the tankers
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