The Airborne Laser program has completed successfully all its low-power phase of testing and demonstrated in flight that it could detect, track, target, and engage an airborne target, according to a statement from the Missile Defense Agency. Air Force Lt. Gen. Trey Obering III, MDA director, called the recent low-power test “one of the most important milestones to date” and prepares the way for installation of the high-power laser later this year.
NORAD surged two F-35s, two F-16s, and a trio of KC-135s to Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland earlier this month for a “dynamic operational exercise,” testing its ability to rapidly deploy forces in the Arctic.

