A new chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) was ground tested for it's use on a AC-130 gunship. The laser is supposed to minimize colateral damage and
have precision targeting up to 9 miles away. The laser will be installed in 2007 and flight tested till 2009 timeframe. The Advanced Tactical Laser
can place a 10-centimeter-wide beam with the heating power of a blowtorch on distant targets for up to 100 shots. The Advanced Tactical Laser can
provide powerful capabilities for both lethal and non-lethal ultra-precision engagement of threats with little or no collateral damage. The ATL will
generally operate below most of the clouds. For missile defense, the ATL works best at altitudes around 10,000 feet. But it can operate down to about
2,500 feet; below that, the operational range becomes too short to be useful. They also want to put this on the deathtrap V-22 osprey.
Here's the lastest report.
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External Forum
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ABL Coil
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