Air Force, Boeing test laser weapon

Updated: Sunday, 04 Oct 2009, 10:57 PM MDT
Published : Sunday, 04 Oct 2009, 10:57 PM MDT

* Pilot Reporter: Bob Martin
* Web Producer: Devon Armijo

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A plane at Kirtland Air Force base has been blasting some targets at White Sands Missile range without bullets or bombs. Instead, the plane employs a laser as its weapon of choice.

The Air Force has just released the video the futuristic weapon at work.

This is the first time the weapon was successfully fired at a target with the intent of damaging it.

Boeing, who developed the laser, said its precision could someday reduce collateral damage during an attack.

"This milestone demonstrates that directed energy weapon systems will transform the battlespace and save lives by giving war fighters a speed-of-light, ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage," said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems.

The Air Force said the laser's precision could be especially helpful in urban environments where military targets are often surrounded by noncombatants.

While Boeing and the Air Force said the recent White Sands test proves the laser and its computerized targeting system function properly, more testing is planned.

The two entities are also collaborating on another laser that will be mounted on a 747 jetliner with the aim of shooting down enemy missiles.

I wonder what kind of duration is has to be sustained over to achieve weapons-grade energy transfers? Given that it's a non-trivial sustained exposure, I wonder how they handle stabilization?

All the precision in the world won't help if you can't maintain it in a bit of turbulence, hehe. So I bet there's a bunch of additional cool stuff under the surface eclipsed by the "ooh, lasers, shiny!" And that's from an ex-optics major, so don't underestimate the intensity (hehe) of my "ooh, lasers, shiny!" reaction.

Yeah, but it would still require direct line of sight. That's a limitation.

Also, there may be some Geneva issues with it....

Just so long as we can put a giant foil-covered ton of corn kernels in someone's house, aim the laser, and watch popcorn burst through all the doors and windows.

Just so long as we can put a giant foil-covered ton of corn kernels in someone's house, aim the laser, and watch popcorn burst through all the doors and windows.

The two entities are also collaborating on another laser that will be mounted on a 747 jetliner with the aim of shooting down enemy missiles.

Pretty sure the ABL program was scrapped this year...

Welcome to the future.

This laser is mounted on a C-130 instead of a 747 and appears to be an effort to diversify the laser into other roles beyond just missile defense though. From the video it doesn't demonstrate enough power to be worthwhile (yet) but it certainly has the accuracy.

Defensible measures could include a huge smoke or particle cloud releasing device to scatter the beam. Just thinking out loud here.

Are you kidding? An airborne laser weapon is mounted on a propeller driven aircraft that is likely older than the people flying it?

This post is made somewhat tongue in cheek. I am aware the C-130 is a quite capable aircraft and I'm sure there's a valid reason for not using a C-141 or something more modern. But geez, really?

Are you kidding? An airborne laser weapon is mounted on a propeller driven aircraft that is likely older than the people flying it?

This post is made somewhat tongue in cheek. I am aware the C-130 is a quite capable aircraft and I'm sure there's a valid reason for not using a C-141 or something more modern. But geez, really?