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.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.