Trouble with test equipment has delayed Wednesday morning’s test of the airborne laser test bed off of the coast of southern California until at least Saturday, according to the Missile Defense Agency. There was “a problem with the tracking camera cooling system” that could not be repaired in time to meet the available range times, said MDA in a release. ALTB is expected to be mission-ready when the next test window opens up on Saturday. The test bed is a modified 747 equipped with a powerful laser system. During the upcoming test, ALTB will attempt to shoot down a boosting ballistic missile with the laser’s beam from a distance of more than 100 miles. Back in February, ALTB shot down the same type of missile at a distance greater than 50 miles (see below).
Boeing Claims Progress on T-7 and Other Challenged Programs
April 25, 2025
Boeing appears to have become to overcome the problems that led to billions in losses on fixed-price defense contracts in recent years, point the company back toward profitabily, says Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg.