Boeing’s Ventures Into Lasers

Published: July 26, 2007, 11:00 am

Tags: interesting technology, 747, air force, army, boeing, contract, integrated defense systems, laser, awacs, noc, lmt, ba

Something I wasn't aware of before: Boeing (BA) is getting into the business of developing high-energy laser weapons systems for the military. According to a Monday release from Boeing, a truck-mounted laser system under development for the Army will demonstrate that a mobile, solid-state laser weapon system can effectively counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles. Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems unit has been awarded a small amount, $7 million, to test out the technology. Similar projects have been in the works for some time, it appears; video of a laser mounted on a modified Boeing 747-400F freighter, created by Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC), after the jump. Missile launch is detected by a reconnaissance system such as satellite or Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and threat data is transmitted to the ABL aircraft by Link 16 communications. A suite of infrared, wide-field telescopes installed along the length of

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