Boeing’s ATL Ground Test
Defense contractor Boeing tested its Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL), firing the high-power laser while flying over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The air-to-ground ATL pierced the hood of a truck, as shown in the video below:
Boeing says the beam’s energy “defeated” the truck. Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, said: “This milestone 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. By demonstrating this capability, the ATL team has earned a distinguished place in the history of weapon system development.”
(Video hat tip: PopSci.com)
Tags: Advanced Tactical Laser, ATL, Boeing