Ever since the start of the Cold War, there has always been a constant fear of a nuclear strike. Even with the collapse of the Soviet Union, this threat still remains imminent among other nuclear nations. The fundamental problem was once the enemy launched their intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM); there was nothing we could do to stop the attack…until today. Meet Boeing’s YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL).
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w-ql8msl0U
The idea was first proposed in the mid 80s under the Ronald Reagan administration. The project was ironically named the “Star Wars” Project. Only recently the technology has become available to build a working prototype. At first glance it looks like a regular Boeing 747, a commercial airplane we all possibly flew in once during our lifetime. However, the nose of the aircraft is something straight out of science fiction. The 747 is mounted with a high-energy chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) on the nose of the aircraft. The Airborne Laser will locate and track missiles in the boost phase of their flight, then accurately point and fire the powerful laser destroying the missiles near their launch areas. ABL will change the face of the defense industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe.
If you are wondering if the term “laser” is used properly here, yes it is. If a bird flew into the firing beam, well let’s just say there won’t be a bird left. Fortunately the weapon will fire for only a few seconds at a time, minimizing collateral damage but enough to destroy any incoming threat. However, unlike popular Hollywood films, the laser fired by ABL would be virtually invisible to the naked eye. So sorry Star Wars fans, you won’t be able to see the fancy blue/green lasers like in the movies.
Although this idea seems radical and there’s growing skepticisms whether it would work or not, the idea itself is not new. During the mid 1980s, when this program was first initiated, a less-powerful laser was installed on a Boeing NKC-135A which successfully shot down several missiles. The purpose of Boeing’s new YAL-1 is to shoot down ballistic missile that carries nuclear weapons. As of July 2008, the COIL system was successfully installed in the 747 and is now undergoing ground testing. By this time next year, the United States Air Force hopes to test the laser against a real in-flight ballistic missile.
The problem I foresee with this program (if successful) is that it will usher in a new type of warfare. With every new piece of technology that gives one nation an advantage, the opposing nations would quickly follow a suit. We have seen this in the past, for example the bow and arrow was once the pinnacle of weapons technology which allowed Genghis Khan to rule from the Pacific to the Ukraine. That technology was quickly adapted by other nations once they realized its power. When the United States first developed the atom bomb in 1945, the Soviet Union was able to build their bomb in 1949. So as you can see, if this laser becomes successful, it would protect us from a nuclear missile strike. However, the day when other nations are able to duplicate the laser technology, we may very well see a real Star Wars in the nearfuture.
2 comments:
I agree with you. I mean I'm really glad that we developed a laser to stop ballistic missiles from destroying US cities, however that technology can clearly be used for non-defensive purposes as well. Other countries will most likely perceive this new invention as a threat to their own security and will respond by continuing to develop more advanced weaponry. What will happen when more countries acquire this technology? Imagine the US, Germany, and Japan all aiming laser beams at each other, able to utilize them at a moment's notice. Will the world be a more peaceful place then?
Thats what its all about. Being the most powerful nation in the world stems directly off of having the most advanced and most powerful weapons in the world. Having weapons is fine and dandy but we must also be able to defend ourselves. Although this plane with the lazer could potentially be used as a weapon, I dont forsee it as being a practical weapon. In the future though, the governments of all of the most powerful nations will always compete to have the greatest and the most powerful weapons.
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