At 8:44 p.m. (PST), February 11, 2010, a short-range threat-representative ballistic missile was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform. Within seconds, the ALTB used onboard sensors to detect the boosting missile and used a low-energy laser to track the target. The ALTB then fired a second low-energy laser to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbance. Finally, the ALTB 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.
This was the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform. The revolutionary use of directed energy is very attractive for missile defense, with the potential to attack multiple targets at the speed of light, at a range of hundreds of kilometers, and at a low cost per intercept attempt compared to current technologies.
Damn. I need a drink.
Add this to all the other successful intercept tests, Reagan must be smiling. And various dictators and terrorists cursing.
Unless Obama decides this stuff is just as 'wasteful' as the F22 and tries to kill it, in the name of 'dialogue'.
2 comments:
Its all a dream. Obama would rather have a nice conversation with dictators and terrorists than defend us.
Obumble already has - with the help of the democratic party controlling congress. I suspect the only reason they kept any of the technology was to be able to trade it to the Chinese and Russians for campaign contributions for 2012.
Post a Comment