Imagine in the near future a defensive system that uses airborne laser beams traveling at the speed of light to 'zap' enemy missiles early in their boost stage. Well, Buck Rogers is moving from science fiction lore to the factory floor with today's opening of a facility to integrate and test a key element of the Airborne Laser system. Ellen Pawlikowski, ABL System Program Director, among those dignitaries present for today's event. Anthony G. Tuffo, president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems' operations in Sunnyvale, hosted the officials here for the event. Partnerships throughout the Silicon Valley and surrounding Bay Area abound on this program.
Overhead trays replicate the routing of the flight cables in the aircraft.
The relative geometric positions of the turret, optical benches, and electrical racks are also preserved in this facility. ABL Team leader Boeing has overall program management and system integration responsibilities. Boeing is also developing the ABL battle management system and modifying the 747-400 aircraft. Those efforts are being conducted at Boeing facilities in Seattle, Wash., and Wichita, Kan. TRW, Redondo Beach, Calif., is building the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser and the related ground support subsystem. The high-energy laser is designed to shoot down theater ballistic missiles within hundreds of miles from their launch site.