|
The truth of the matter is the United States has a plan and a course of action for space and the
situation at hand. The wheels are turning, and the horizon is in view, perhaps we will have a peaceful
resolution. Eyepod will keep you updated.
| |
|||||||||
Operates autonomously, above the clouds, outside the range of threat weapons but sufficiently close to
enemy territory
Engages early, destroying ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight over launch area
Cues and tracks targets, communicating with other joint theater assets for layered defense system
Unique Technology:
Nose-mounted turret with 1.5m telescope that focuses beams on missile and collects return image and
signals
Beam Control System to acquire and track targets with precision accuracy
Look for further developments of the ABL as the global threat of ballistic missiles becomes ever more
prevalent.
For more information, read the Airborne Laser (ABL) (PDF) overview.
Scroll down for full technical data and operating systems. FRJ
1.5m telescope in turret focuses beams on missile and collects return image
and signals
±120 field-of-regard (azimuth)
Extensive wind-tunnel tests by Boeing validate the design
Flightweight composite construction
Window stows until on cloud and dust-free aircraft orbit
Protected against bird and lightning strike
Target acquisition and tracking
Fire-control engagement sequencing, aim point-and-kill assessment
High-energy laser (HEL) beam wavefront control and atmospheric
compensation
Jitter control, alignment/beam-walk control, and beam containment for HEL
and illuminator lasers
Calibration and diagnostics provide autonomous real-time operations and
postmission analysis
Human-machine interface
Surveillance and tracking
Launch and impact point predictions
Theater interoperability and communications
Target detection, identification, prioritization, and nomination
Modular console construction
Commercial hardware
Common data/voice links (LINK 16/IBS) to joint theater assets
Open systems architecture
Station 1000 bulkhead for limited access to laser area in rear of aircraft
Continuous remote-environment monitoring
Dual environment pressurization
Tracking illuminator laser (TILL)
Beacon illuminator laser (BILL)
Lasers are state-of-the-art diode- pumped, solid state devices
Chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) technology
World record for chemical efficiency set by Northrop Grumman
Advanced materials-plastics, composites, titanium-used to reduce
weight
Modular design allows for graceful degradation
Closed chemical system with recirculating reactants
Designed for aircraft safety and field maintainability
Northrop Grumman
Modified 3rd generation LANTIRN with high-power CO2 laser
Acquires target from IRST sensor cue, tracks target, and points
CO2 laser for ranging
Helps determine missile launch point and impact point
Space designed into forward lower fuselage to support initial deployment requirements
System Maintainability
Access to LRUs confirmed by digital design database
Standard commercial practices and manuals maximized for affordability (verified by user inputs)
GE selected based on competitive bid
CF6-80C2B5F is the highest thrust-rated engine (61,500 lb) available for
747-400
Extensive reliability and service history
Background:
Within the past decade, ballistic missiles have emerged as major
threats to American and friendly armed forces. 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:
The high-energy chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) carried aboard
a modified Boeing 747-400F freighter is 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.
Customer:
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Washington, D.C.
The Air Force Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
Contract Details:
A contract for Program Definition & Risk Reduction (PDRR) contract
awarded Nov. 12, 1996 to Team ABL by USAF
ABL transferred to Missile Defense Agency in October 2001 and
converted to capability based acquisition
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.
| |
|||||||||
