Air Force 747 fires laser cannon for first time

[unhappycamper]

Air Force 747 fires laser cannon for first time
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Sep 10, 2008 6:48:28 EDT

For the first time, the Air Force Boeing 747-400 equipped with a laser cannon fired the laser.

The Airborne Laser’s test team achieved the “first light” firing Sunday at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., according to contractors Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman.

While on the ground, the aircraft shot the beam into a “calorimeter,” a test device that captures and measures characteristics of the beam.

During upcoming ground tests, the beam will be sent through the airborne laser beam fire control system and out the turret mounted in the aircraft’s nose.

Flight tests will follow, culminating in an airborne intercept test against a ballistic missile in 2009.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_laser_firing_abl_090908w/%2e