For missile defense, the ATL works best at altitudes around 10,000 feet. Localized weather cells and fronts, however, may be avoided by maneuvering around them, a flexibility that goes a long way to keeping the availability of the ATL high, even in less than ideal weather. Another approach is the use of good analytical models of laser beam propagation anchored to actual weather data collected in specific locations of interest. For example, in the Arabian Gulf, temperatures are high, humidity moderate, cloud ceilings high, and visibility limited by blowing sand and dust much of the time. In the Korean peninsula, conditions vary greatly between summer and winter.
Winters are cold and clear.
Summers are hot, humid and frequently overcast. In the Arabian Gulf location, for 10 percent of the time the range will exceed 24 km, and at 10 percent of the time it will be less than 16 km. In the Korean coastal climate, the variation is greater. A flying laser. The ATL system consists of the laser weapon, surveillance sensors, the platform aircraft and some ground support equipment.