First light for laser gunship

Boeing has begun flight-testing for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program and has generated “first light” of ATL's high-energy chemical laser in ground tests, achieving two milestones in the development of the laser gunship.

During the “low-power” flight tests, which began on October 10 and conclude this autumn, the ATL ACTD system will find and track ground targets at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. A low-power, solid-state laser will serve as a surrogate for ATL's high-power chemical laser.

To prepare for the tests, the ATL aircraft, a C-130H from the US Air Force 46th Test Wing, was outfitted with flight demonstration hardware at Crestview Aerospace Corporation in Crestview, Florida. The hardware includes the beam director and optical control bench, which will direct the laser beam to its target; weapon system consoles, which will display high-resolution imagery and enable the tracking of targets; and sensors.