Boeing announced yesterday that the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) -- a C-130H cargo aircraft tricked out with a chemical laser -- had successfully engaged a "tactically representative target," i.e., a vehicle parked on the ground.
It's a step toward a new capability: A directed-energy gunship that can destroy or disable ground targets with little or no collateral damage. Current ground-attack aircraft like the AC-130 gunship do the job with area-effect weapons like 20mm Gatling guns and 105mm howitzers.
The recent ATL test took place over White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During the test, the aircraft's beam control system locked on to the target -- a stationary vehicle -- and guided the laser beam to the target. According to a news release, the laser beam "defeated the vehicle" -- although what "defeat," exactly, means, we don't know. I'm waiting for more details.
If everything went as described, it certainly marks a milestone in laser history. But as Noah pointed out last year, a practical model is still years away: The ATL relies on vats of toxic chemicals to power its laser, so the military eventually wants to switch over to electric lasers to make a more deployable version of the flying ray gun.
[PHOTO: Boeing]
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