john keeney

Yea, Ralph, the ABL program doesn't get a lot of press.
I probably can't tell you much you don't know but I have
seen pictures of the unpainted YAL-1 airborne, reportedly
with none of the laser equipment installed.
Seems I did see where the were dropping one module
from the stack because they were performing above
expectations.

ralph savelsberg

The aerodynamic changes made to the airframe, especially the
nose-mounted laser turret but also the exhausts for the reaction
products and the dorsally mounted laser pod seem, obviously have to be
tested. In the latest pictures I've seen the aircraft has been painted
in the grey scheme displayed on most of the artist's impressions of the aircraft.

It's a very impressive piece of engineering. Combat Aircraft
International recently had an article about ABL, which spurred my
questions here. In it, one of the programme managers/ engineers is
quoted saying that fitting the laser modules is like stacking six Chevy
Suburbans vertically inside the rear of the plane.

Anyway,
thanks for the info, Kevin.
Regards, Ralph Savelsberg

ralph savelsberg

Thanks for the information. It is much appreciated.


Regards,
Ralph Savelsberg