Airborne Laser
The ALL was based on a carbon dioxide gas dynamic laser (GDL), operating at the infrared wavelength of 10.6 microns, and mounted on a modified Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (NC-135).One was by direct illumination and heating of the guidance sensor of an air-to-air missile, which defeated its tracking system.It's like taking a magnifying glass and burning a hole through a piece of paper, but we do it through metal," said Dr. Keith Truesdell, Phillips Lab chief of the applied laser technology branch.The TILL is a solid state laser and is a key part of the fire control of the ABL system.The projected cost of the ABL program was listed as 5.1 billion USD in 2009 according to the US Department of Defense.