GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Changes in US defence priorities together with several technical setbacks have delayed airborne laser program
The first Boeing Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft, a converted Boeing 747-400F, has received major modifications at Wichita, Kansas, but now faces delays while the newly designated Missile Defense Agency (MDA) works on a "schedule revision" to take account of shifting US defence priorities and several technical issues with the ABL itself.
Under the original timetable, the YAL-1A prototype was expected to fly from Wichita next month, before arriving at the USAir Force's test centre at Edwards AFB, California in May for equipping with optical and laser systems, and airworthiness testing. Full systems laser tests were then due to begin in May next year with critical shoot-down tests on airborne targets. "Residual" operational capability with one aircraft was expected as early as the third quarter of next year. Initial operational capability is provisionally set for 2007 with three aircraft.
Although the MDA (previously the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization) will not comment on the potential length of the delay, Boeing says the challenges do not represent "any danger to the programme". The company acknowledges that "there almost certainly will be a shift to the right" in the programme timescale which is now expected to be issued by MDA in early February. The MDA recently took over ABL management from the USAF as part of a re-organisation of national missile defence programmes.
Signs of potential trouble for the ambitious ABL effort surfaced earlier last year when the Boeing-led team revealed it was spending more than 30% of the $98 million extra funding received for the programme to tackle technical problems. The three major contractors, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and TRW, each added $20 million to the USAF's additional $38 million. Problem areas included greater than expected structural changes to the 747 airframe, cavitation problems with the turbopump impeller on the TRW chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL), and the mounting of the conformal window in the nose-mounted laser turret.
In December, Congress voted for further programme funding when it provided $483.5 million, $73.5 million above the original request. Extra ABL funding, in this case, was available after the cancellation of the US Navy Area Theatre ballistic missile defence system.
Source: Flight International
