Paper
4 June 2002 Airborne laser
Steven E. Lamberson
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
The US Air Force Airborne Laser (ABL) is an airborne, megawatt-class laser system with a state-of-the-art atmospheric compensation system to destroy enemy ballistic missiles at long ranges. This system will provide both deterrence and defense against the use of such weapons during conflicts. This paper provides an overview of the ABL weapon system including: the notional operational concept, the development approach and schedule, the overall aircraft configuration, the technologies being incorporated in the ABL, and the risk reduction approach being utilized to ensure program success.
© (2002) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Steven E. Lamberson "Airborne laser", Proc. SPIE 4632, Laser and Beam Control Technologies, (4 June 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.469763
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KEYWORDS
Missiles

Laser missile defense

Airborne laser technology

Fiber optic illuminators

Carbon dioxide lasers

Chemical oxygen iodine lasers

Defense and security

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