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U.S. Air Force's experimental
Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL)
Laser weapons are here: ATL test shows ability to attack moving targets
effectively from the air
 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., 13 Oct. 2009. The U.S. Air Force's experimental
Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) -- a high-energy laser weapon fitted to a
C-130 turboprop aircraft -- hit and damaged a moving vehicle three weeks
ago in a test that demonstrated for the first time the laser weapon's
ability to attack moving targets effectively.
The test occurred less than three weeks after an Aug. 30 test in which
ATL damaged an unoccupied stationary vehicle, marking the aircraft's
first air-to-ground, high-power laser engagement of a tactically
representative target.
The ATL, a research program of the Boeing Co. and the Air Force damaged
a moving ground vehicle from the air on 19 Sept. using the ATL C-130
aircraft, completing ATL's first air-to-ground, high-power laser
engagement of a mobile target.
During the test, the C-130H aircraft took off from Kirtland Air Force
Base near Albuquerque, N.M., and fired a high-power chemical laser
through its beam control system while flying over White Sands Missile
Range. The beam control system guided the laser beam's energy to the
unoccupied, remotely controlled target, striking the vehicle and putting
a hole in a fender.
"In this test, a directed energy weapon demonstrated direct attack on a
moving target," says Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director
of the Boeing Missile Defense Systems Directed Energy Systems unit. "ATL
has precisely targeted and engaged both stationary and moving targets,
demonstrating the transformational versatility of this speed-of-light,
ultra-precision engagement capability that will reduce collateral
damage."
ATL demonstrations support the development of laser defense systems that
will destroy, damage or disable targets on the battlefield and in urban
operations with little to no collateral damage, Boeing officials say.
The Boeing-led ATL industry team includes L-3 Communications/Brashear,
which built the laser turret; HYTEC Inc., which made a variety of the
weapon system's structural elements; and J.B. Henderson, which provides
mechanical integration support.
For more information contact Boeing Integrated Defense Systems online at
www.boeing.com
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