Despite the optimism expressed by Airborne Laser Program Director Col. John Daniels, the 2007 defense budget proposal does place the ABL on the endangered species list. It’s down, but not out. The Pentagon plans to axe the second aircraft and downtool the program to a demonstration effort. The second aircraft might get a resurrection after the planned 2008 missile shootdown test, and would not have to repeat “a lot of the work that was completed with aircraft No. 1,” said a Missile Defense Agency spokesman. And, we suppose this is more good news: The MDA spokesman added, the ABL realignment has freed resources for other ballistic missile defense efforts, preventing the “premature termination” of promising technologies.
With key members of Congress wavering on the possibility of a $350 billion defense reconciliation bill, defense experts told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the Pentagon is likely drawing up budget backup plans—but such plans would face hard choices between high-end weapons and low-cost drones and other programs in…