YAL-1A Airborne Laser Test Bed Takes Off from Edwards AFB

The innovative YAL-1A Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) aircraft departed from Edwards AFB on February 14 to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

The ALTB is a custom-built Boeing 747-400 Freighter that incorporates two solid-state lasers and a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser, wherein the intended energy can be employed as a viable technology for combating ballistic missiles. The Birk Flight Test Facility accommodated ALTB for over nine years.

Executives from both contractor and government workforce joined together for a comprehensive meet within the Birk Flight Test Facility, prior to the ALTB aircraft's final take-off. This meeting was hosted to mark the successful achievement of the aircraft, thereby felicitating the staff and workers at the Birk flight test facility for their unstinted and consistent support during the analysis and surveillance of ALTB at Edwards AFB since December 2002.

A boosting solid-fueled terrier black brant rocket, which was introduced on February 3, 2010 by the California-based San Nicolas Island ground, was subjected to effective engagement and destruction, which is one of the major tests in ALTB CTF.

Following the test, the ALTB team furthermore accomplished the test that involves engaging and destroying a boosting liquid-fueled Foreign Military Acquisition missile. In addition, the engagement of a boosting Terrier Black Brant rocket was achieved in the same flight in compliance with the entire test objectives without affecting the rocket.

Soon after the ALTB arrives at Davis-Monthan AFB, it will remain at the Air Force's Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, which is called as the Boneyard.

According to the Director of the ALTB Combined Test Force, Jeff Warmka, the ALTB and its related systems will be screened at Davis-Monthan, to comply with DOD procedures for reutilization.

Source: http://www.af.mil/