Laser Gunship Program

Picture a C-130 Spectre gunship used so effectively from Vietnam to the Gulf Wars, but with a laser in place of its cannons. Cool! Boeing Missile Defense Systems (MDS) has taken delivery of the aircraft for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program, achieving the first of several key milestones in the laser gunship effort. The C-130H transport, which belongs to the U.S. Air Force's 46th Test Wing, was handed over to Boeing on Jan. 18 in Crestview, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. Boeing is modifying the aircraft to enable it to carry a high-energy chemical laser and battle management and beam control subsystems. Boeing will begin flight testing the aircraft this summer with all subsystems on board except the high-energy laser. A low-power surrogate laser will stand in for the kilowatt-class, high-energy laser... "ATL will do for air-to-ground combat what ABL will do for missile defense: revolutionize the battlefield," said Pat Shanahan, Boeing Missile Defense Systems vice president and general manager. Lets hope it works better than Boeing's other Airborne Laser Program. http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Boeing_Receives_Aircraft_For_Laser_Gunship_Program.html

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