The Airborne Laser has completed a “fire control loop,” or sequence of events needed to fire its laser at a boosting ballistic missile, according to a July 9 Missile Defense Agency release. During the June 29 flight test, the ABL also conducted the first-in-flight propagation of the Surrogate High Energy Laser through its nose-mounted turret. The SHEL simulates the high-energy Chemical Iodine Oxygen Laser to be installed on the aircraft later this year. Upcoming tests this month will feature a “complete engagement series,” with the ABL using its tracking illuminator laser, atmospheric compensation laser, and the SHEL.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
