Strategic Weapons: November 1, 1999

Archives

A team including Boeing, TRW, and Lockheed Martin has completed a four-month test of the laser that will eventually arm the Airborne Laser weapon system (mounted in a Boeing-747; set to make air-to-air tests in 2003). The team announced that all goals were met, all requirements were exceeded, and the program is on schedule. The megawatt-class oxygen-iodine laser will be used to shoot down tactical and theater ballistic missiles during the boost phase, while still over enemy territory. Production of the laser modules for the initial test aircraft will begin next year. --Stephen V Cole

The Army's THAAD (Theater High Altitude Area Defense) missile cannot be tested against incoming missiles traveling faster than 5km/second because of the 1972 ABM Treaty. Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles such as North Korea's Taepo-Dong-1 approach their targets at 8km/sec or more.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close