The following information is presented by MILNET as a service to the Department of Defense and the ABL program. MILNET has no connections with the DoD or the project.  The Team ABL contracters are TRW (now Northrop Grumman Space), Boeing and Lockheed Martin, producing the system for the USAF. The newer PDF version of a fact sheet is available from the Missile Defense Agency (MILNET Mirror).

	Missile Defense Systems
	A theater missile defense system that attacks missiles during boost phase, their most vulnerable phase of flight. ABL is a deterrent for missile launches from hostile nations and protects U.S. and allied ground troops in the theater. Team ABL is building a revolutionary Airborne Laser that will shoot down a Theater Ballistic Missile by 2008.
	Airborne Laser Closer to Completion ROXANA HEGEMAN, A.P., 10/28/06
	Complete System Test Firing at Edwards, A.P. DefPro News, 12/01/2008 - On Ground, next milestone will culiminate in-flight firing then firing at a ballistic missile.

Team ABL
 

	ABL Airborne Laser			Revolutionary Airpower for the 21st Century
	Achieveable:	· All the required technologies have been demonstrated.
	Affordable:	· Cost per enemy missile kill about $1,000 per shot (for laser fuel). · Lowest life-cycle cost of all theater missile defense systems in development.
	Deployable:	· Continental United States (CONUS)-based with global reach within hours, ready-to-fight. · Fully integrated with tiered theater air defense architecture, yet capable of autonomous operation.
	Supportable:	· Based on proven, cost-effective commercial capabilities and practices, tailored to meet military requirements.
	Flexible:	· Future adjunct missions will enhance flexibility/utility. · Enhances effectiveness of other elements of the multi-tiered air defense system by providing launch and impact point predictions.
:		Team ABL skills and experience ensure a low-risk ABL system
	U.S. Air Force:	· Focused program direction with full participation on all Integrated Product Teams.
	Boeing:	· Total weapon system integration, aircraft modification, and battle management command and control.
	TRW:	· Megawatt-class laser and ground support
	Lockheed Martin:	· Beam control and fire control segments.
						Missile Defense Systems
					For more information contact: Boeing Defense & Space Group PO.Box 3999, MS 4C-98 Seattle, WA. 98124-2499
	Printed in USA. CSR 130601 PSO 594276 3/97 5.000

The above datasheet reproduction is presented by MILNET, as a service to the Defense Department and the ABL program, however, content was solely derived from the datasheet distributed by Boeing Defense & Space Group printed on 3/97, number CSR130601, PSO 594276, which was not copyrighted at that time. Later revisions may have been copyrighted. To contact Boeing, send your requests to :

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