Lockheed Martin-Built System Successfully Directs Laser Beam for Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.,
(NYSE: LMT) announced today that the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne
Laser (ABL) team has successfully fired the High Energy Laser through the
Lockheed Martin-developed Beam Control/Fire Control system.
In a series of tests conducted in the aircraft on the ground, the Beam
Control/Fire Control system focused and directed the High Energy Laser beam.
The beam passed through the conformal window on the nose of the aircraft into
a range simulator diagnostics system. Conducted at Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif., this phase of testing concluded last week.
This milestone builds on the previous successful testing aboard the
modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft of the Lockheed Martin-developed Beam
Control/Fire Control System, as well as of the Northrop Grumman-developed High
Energy Laser and the Boeing-developed Battle Management System. Boeing is
ABL’s prime contractor.
“This latest achievement is the result of the commitment of the entire ABL
government-industry team to providing a new world-class capability for our
nation’s missile defense system,” said
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.
The team next will conduct further ground testing, followed by flight
testing of the entire ABL system that will culminate in an airborne intercept
test against a ballistic missile.
“As we approach this next historic milestone, the feeling of pride and
excitement throughout the entire ABL team is palpable,” said
president of advanced programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.
The Beam Control/Fire Control System locates and tracks the target,
determines range to the target and then compensates for atmospheric
turbulence. The system’s lower-energy lasers — the Track Illuminator Laser
and the Beacon Illuminator Laser — determine where to point and focus the
High Energy Laser. The High Energy Laser beam passes through the system’s
optical path before exiting through the conformal window on the nose of the
aircraft on its way to the target. Flight testing in 2007, using a surrogate
High Energy Laser, verified the ability of the Beam Control/Fire Control
System to maintain the focus of the laser beam while continuously tracking a
target.
ABL will destroy a ballistic missile during its boost phase, while it is
still accelerating in the Earth’s atmosphere and before it can deploy its
warheads. The Missile Defense Agency manages the ABL program, which is
executed by the U.S. Air Force from
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) provides the modified aircraft and the Battle
Management System and is the overall systems integrator. Boeing’s ABL
industry partners are Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), which supplies the High
Energy Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser, and Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company,
Control System, including the nose-mounted turret.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the
development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the
first operational hit-to-kill missile. The company makes significant
contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in
several global missile defense partnerships.
Headquartered in
company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment
of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin