The first airplane to be modified for the U.S. Airborne Laser program has successfully completed flight worthiness tests, Defense Daily reported today (see GSN, Nov. 19).  Officials plan to send it to Edwards Air Force Base in California next month to install the laser system.

The plane — a Boeing 747-400 modified to carry the laser system — conducted flight tests this summer and fall (see GSN, Aug. 12).  Developers at Edwards plan to put the aircraft through ground tests before installing tracking and laser equipment.  Officials expect to take one year to integrate the system, according to Defense Daily (see GSN, Nov. 1; Kerry Gildea, Defense Daily, Nov. 26).

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