Laser scores success

  • Published
  • Missile Defense Agency
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., --  The Missile Defense Agency demonstrated the potential use of directed energy to defend against ballistic missiles when the Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile Thursday night.

The ALTB or YAL 1-A is part of the 417th Flight Test Squadron here. Lt. Col. Michael R. Contratto, 417th Flight Test Squadron commander said that last night, "the men and women of the Airborne Laser Combined Test Force and 417th Flight Test Squadron fulfilled the long held promise to demonstrate the revolutionary technology represented by the airborne laser test bed."

The experiment, conducted at Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range off the central California coast, serves as a proof-of-concept demonstration for directed energy technology. The ALTB is a pathfinder for the nation's directed energy program and its potential application for missile defense technology.

"The Air Force Flight Test Center is a proud partner with the Missile Defense Agency in developing this leading edge technology," said Thomas R. Berard, a member of the Senior Executive Service, and the flight test center's executive director, underscoring the experiments' relationship to the Air Force Flight Test Center. "The Airborne Laser Test Bed program is a shining example of the critical capabilities that the AFFTC offers in the research, development, test and evaluation of complex systems to support our nation. I am especially proud of the outstanding work our folks have accomplished with the ALTB and look forward to our continued support of this emerging technology."

At 8:44 p.m. (PST), February 11, 2010, a short-range threat-representative ballistic missile was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform. Within seconds, the ALTB used onboard sensors to detect the boosting missile and used a low-energy laser to track the target. The ALTB then fired a second low-energy laser to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbance. Finally, the ALTB fired its megawatt-class High Energy Laser, heating the boosting ballistic missile to critical structural failure. The entire engagement occurred within two minutes of the target missile launch, while its rocket motors were still thrusting.

This was the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform. The revolutionary use of directed energy is very attractive for missile defense, with the potential to attack multiple targets at the speed of light, at a range of hundreds of kilometers, and at a low cost per intercept attempt compared to current technologies.

Col William J. Thornton, commander of the 412th Test Wing, the wing that provides executive level command and control over all test squadrons at Edwards said, "This has been a long and technically challenging program. I am proud of the entire team that worked so hard over the last several years to ensure this test program would be safe and successful."

Less than an hour later, a second solid fuel short-range missile was launched from a ground location on San Nicolas Island, Calif. and the ALTB successfully engaged the boosting target with its High Energy Laser, met all its test criteria, and terminated lasing prior to destroying the second target. The ALTB destroyed a solid fuel missile, identical to the second target, in flight on February 3, 2010.

"The multi-year dedication and commitment of the entire team to include numerous supporting squadrons and agencies at the AF Flight Test Center has truly been remarkable to witness," said Colonel Contratto. "To a person, I can confidently state that we all feel extremely honored and privileged to be a part of this effort and look forward to leading the program forward to additional successes in the future."

Colonel Thornton added, "'The 412 Test Wing and Edwards AFB have a long and proud history of 'firsts'. ... The Airborne Laser Program ranks among the top achievements here at Edwards and rivals some of the greatest advances in recent history.