A crucial programme-requirements review on the US Air Force's airborne laser anti-ballistic-missile weapon has been successfully completed, clearing the way for preliminary design and engineering work to begin.
As part of the review, the contractors reached agreement with the USAF on the requirements to which the Air Borne Laser (ABL) will be built by a team composed of Boeing, Lockheed Martin and TRW. Successful completion of the review in March was the team's second major technical milestone in as many months. In February, TRW passed a critical design review of its laser module.
The USAF envisions buying seven ABL aircraft, to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles during their boost phases.
Boeing, which is leading the ABL development, was awarded a $1.1 billion contract to produce a prototype laser-attack aircraft, to be designated YAL-1A, using a Boeing 747-400F freighter airframe. It stands to earn as much as $6 billion if the aircraft goes ahead.
The project award followed a two-year concept-definition phase in which the Boeing team competed against Rockwell/Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon E-Systems.
Source: Flight International