Boeing and the US Air Force have used the advanced tactical laser (ATL) aircraft to successfully engage a ground target from the air for the first time.
The tactical laser is designed to destroy, damage or disable targets with little to no collateral damage.
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During the ATL test, the laser fired from a C-130H aircraft using the beam control system acquired the ground target – a stationary vehicle – and destroyed the target using energy from the laser beam.
Boeing Missile Defense Systems vice president and general manager Greg Hyslop said that this was a historic test.
“The test demonstrates that directed energy weapon systems will transform the battlespace and save lives by giving warfighters a speed-of-light, ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage,” Hyslop said.
