The entire Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) was tested for the first time, Boeing [BA] said yesterday.
The ATL, mounted on its C-130H aircraft, completed the test on the ground at Kirtland AFB, N.M.
The high-energy chemical laser was fired through a beam control system, passing through a rotating turret mounted on the C-130H belly.
Completing the test marked another milestone in the advanced concept technology demonstration program, Boeing said.
The beam control system acquired a ground target and guided the laser beam to it, as directed by the ATL battle management system.
“By firing the laser through the beam control system for the first time, the ATL team has begun to demonstrate the functionality of the entire weapon system integrated aboard the aircraft,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. “This is a major step toward providing the ultra-precision engagement capability that the warfighter needs to dramatically reduce collateral damage.”
After conducting additional tests on the ground and in the air, the program will demonstrate ATL military utility by firing the laser in-flight at mission-representative ground targets later this year.
On May 13, the high-energy laser was fired aboard the ATL aircraft for the first time, demonstrating reliable operations previously achieved in a laboratory. During that test, an onboard calorimeter captured the laser beam before it left the aircraft.
ATL, which Boeing is developing for the Department of Defense, will destroy, damage or disable targets with little to no collateral damage, supporting missions on the battlefield and in urban operations. Boeing’s ATL industry team includes L-3 Communications/Brashear, which made the laser turret, and HYTEC Inc., which made various structural elements of the weapon system.