MDAA Alert – Airborne Laser Test

The Missile Defense Agency announced a successful test of the Airborne Laser, or Airborne Laser Test Bed, yesterday. This is the second successful test in a little over a week for the maligned missile defense system. Hopefully recent success, coupled with a fresh influx of $100 Million should help the program continue on its path to mission ready status. Below is an excerpt from the MDA press release about the test:

At 8:44 p.m. (PST), a short-range threat-representative ballistic missile was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform. Within seconds, the Airborne Laser used onboard sensors to detect the boosting missile and used a low-energy laser to track the target. The Airborne Laser then fired a second low-energy laser to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbance. Finally, the Airborne Laser fired its megawatt-class High Energy Laser, heating the boosting ballistic missile to critical structural failure. The entire engagement occurred within two minutes of the target missile launch, while its rocket motors were still thrusting.

Article Link

U.S. to Discuss Bulgarian Missile Shield Role

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov

Yet another Eastern European nation, this time Bulgaria, is entering talks to become part of the US missile defense shield in Europe. It is seen as an attempt to improve ties and clean up Bulgaria’s image with its Western allies. Russia will more then likely have a comment on this latest “threat” to their sphere of influence.

Washington will hold preliminary talks with the Bulgarian government on hosting parts of a U.S. missile shield, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said on Friday.

Asked whether Bulgaria — a NATO and European Union member — would accept the U.S. plan, Borisov said Sofia should show solidarity.

“This is not a decision that will be taken only by me,” Borisov told reporters. “We are waiting replies from the European Commission and from the Bulgarian parliament.”

He added: “My opinion is that we have to show solidarity. When you are a member of NATO, you have to work for the collective security.”

MDAA-Alert: Game Changer

Airborne Laser Test, 2-11-2010

Dear Members and Friends,

Late last night, the Airborne Laser (ABL), now called the Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB), a Boeing-747 modified to carry a chemical based megawatt laser weapon system, successfully intercepted and destroyed two short-range ballistic missiles, one liquid fueled Scud like missile and one solid fueled U.S. target, off the Ventura coast of California at Point Mugu Air Station, the first one at 11:44PM EST, and the second an hour later. The ABL used speed of light lasers with multiple beams to target, track, intercept and destroy the ballistic missiles within seconds during the boost phase of the ballistic missiles’ flights.

These intercepts by a laser on an air based platform are a historic technical and engineering revolution. It is a technological game changer that gives the United States a real proven capability that is air mobile, can target, track and intercept multiple targets in seconds, cost efficient and reusable. There are no other proven systems in the world today or in the foreseable future that can shoot down boosting ballistic missiles. The United States leads the world on this game-changing technology