1/144 Boeing YAL-1A The Airborne Laser Test Bed

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/144 Boeing YAL-1A The Airborne Laser Test Bed. Includes bonus kits of the Bede BD-5 / Pilatus UV-20A Chiricahua / Northrop Tacit Blue. In 1996, the U.S. Air Force launched the Airborne Laser program for the destruction of tactical theatre ballistic missiles. The Department of Defense awarded Boeing for the program management, systems integration, battle management system and modification of the 747-400F aircraft. Northrop Grumman responded to the laser systems. The aircraft was designated YAL-1A. Modification of the aircraft, involving installation of the turret in the aircraft's nose and modifications to accept the laser, optics and computer hardware, was completed in 2002. The YAL-1A took the first of a series of test flights in the same year. In 2004, the laser beam was successfully fired for the first time. For the following two years, the laser program was relegated to a technology demonstration status while a planned five-aircraft purchase by the Air Force was put on hold. A high-energy laser was used to intercept a test target in January 2010, and the following month, successfully destroyed two test missiles. Funding for the program was cut in 2010, making the U.S. Air Force to stop raising funds for the laser. The program was finally cancelled in December 2011.