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First Laser C-130 On Tap:

Jan. 24, 2006

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Boeing now has the first USAF C-130 to modify to carry the Advanced Tactical Laser and battle management and beam control subsystems. The Pentagon expects the ATL concept technology program to produce a high-energy laser gunship capability for Special Operations. The company plans to begin flight tests this summer, employing all systems except the high-energy laser. Instead, it will use a low-power surrogate. Boeing has slated “first light” ground tests for the full-up HE laser this summer and expects to install it on board the C-130H and fire it by 2007.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

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