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A ir B orne L aser

The AirBorne Laser (ABL) project, initially envisioned by Edward Teller, aimed to equip large aircraft with powerful laser systems for missile defense. The program saw milestones from its beginnings in the 1980s, including successful intercepts of drones and missiles. Key developments led to the Boeing 747-400F equipped with a Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) for targeting ballistic missiles during their boost phase. Fully operational by 2008, the ABL featured advanced detection and tracking systems, showcasing a new era of airborne defense capabilities.

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A ir B orne L aser

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  1. AirBorne Laser C/3 Jonathan Kim February 13, 2004

  2. OVERVIEW • History • AirBorne Laser (ABL) • ABL Laser System • Conclusion

  3. HISTORY • Edward Teller, world-renowned expert in thermonuclear energy • Envisioned large aircraft armed with high-powered lasers • KC-135A originally used • ALL (Airborne Laser Laboratory) • Carbon dioxide dynamic laser • Shot down first target – a towed drone – May 2, 1981 • July 26, 1983 – shot down five sidewinder air-to-air missles • Showed that laser mounted aircraft could be a formidable defensive weapon • Returned in 1984 • Viewed as impractical • Laser was too bulky; was dependent on external power source; did not generate enough power to be effective at extended ranges • After Saddam Hussein started using Scuds at US troops and its allies in Persian Gulf War, concept of air-to-air missile was revitalized • Received $1.1 billion contract for development in 1996 • Boeing 747-400F • Flown to Edwards AFB on December 2002 for installments • Will be fully operational along with seven other aircraft by 2008

  4. ABL YAL-1A

  5. AirBorne Laser (ABL) • Boeing 747-400F • Carries • COIL Laser • Infrared Surveillance • High speed target acquisition system • High precision laser target tracking beam control system • Designed to detect and destroy ballistic missiles in its boost phase of flight immediately after missile is launched • Flies at an altitude of 40,000 ft • Detection of ballistic missiles • First detected by reconnaissance system • Data transferred to ABL • ABL searches and destroys • Able to shoot down 20-40 missiles before having to re-supply hydrogen peroxide

  6. ABL LASER SYSTEM • Killing Laser Beam / Primary Beam (COIL) • Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser • Hydrogen peroxide, potassium chloride, chlorine gas, water • Number of times more powerful than ALL’s gas dynamic laser • Much more compact • Internal source power • Capable of producing lethal beam over long distance • Operates at infrared wavelength of 1.315 microns • Located at rear end of fuselage

  7. ABL LASER SYSTEM • Tracking Illuminating Laser Beams (TILL) • Determines target’s range • Provies initial information about atmosphere • Provides aiming data for primary beam • Beacon Illuminating Laser (BILL) • Provides data of rapidly changing characteristics of the atmosphere along the path of the laser • Gives the laser a “clear” view

  8. OPERATION

  9. CONCLUSION • History • ABL • ABL Laser System

  10. QUESTIONS

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