Global Security Newswire

A U.S. aircraft prototype for the third time in less than three months successfully engaged a mock enemy missile, the Missile Defense Agency announced yesterday (see GSN, June 16).

The Airborne Laser, a converted 747-400F jumbo jet designed to use advanced technology to track and destroy ballistic missiles in the boost phase of flight, on Monday acquired the target near the California coast and initiated the sequence to destroy the weapon with three on-board lasers. Although the Airborne Laser underwent similar trials in June, this was the first time data was collected using sensors on the practice target.

The aircraft is scheduled to continue engagement testing over the next few months, leading to an exercise that calls for destruction of a target simulating the boost-phase flight of a ballistic missile (U.S. Missile Defense Agency release, Aug. 13).