2 ms·
Everyone thought a huge laser taking up a dedicated 747 (Boeing YAL-1) was a stupid idea but looks like it was a good starting point.
by dba7dba 7y ago
Everyone thought a huge laser taking up a dedicated 747 (Boeing YAL-1) was a stupid idea but looks like it was a good starting point.
- pngai 7y agoBut note that chemical lasers appears to have been a deadend.
- dingaling 7y agoThe YAL-1 ( horribly nonstandard designation ) was addressing a different and much harder problem; destroying ballistic missiles in the ascent phase at considerable range. However destroying magnitude-smaller, nearby air-to-air missiles is much more achievable and was demonstrated by the NKC-135 / Airborne Laser Lab project back in 1979-85. Yes, 40 years ago.