Aw...,no beam shots?

http://blog.al.com/space-news/2009/06/boeing_announces_first_airborn.html

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=703

Now the results of that test would surely have to be the best laser burning vid on YouTube ever!!!! The ones we all make would just pale in comparison...

Actually, I read somewhere that those lasers are IR. Not visible, but don't quote me on that..

You can actually see the beam from these in the dark- it is light blue, not because it is blue by nature, but because it is plasmatizing dust in it's path making it glow blue white hot!

It would be the best burning vid on youtube by far on a stationary flammable target such as a tar paper shack...

Wait, I'm confused. I thought the army announced they were canceling this project at a press conference. What happened?

Oh boy. I wish I could see this in action.

So they're still using a chemical laser... I don't have very extensive knowledge of chemical lasers, but I would assume that this laser would have limited firing capability since it relies on a chemical reaction to fire, right?
Someone who knows more should clue us in.

I remember reading an article about a solid state laser capable of ~105KW trying to get integrated into a portable system. I'd like to see more of that.

SO this laser is different from the boeing "ABL" (airborne laser) right?

If I recall the ABL was on a 747....

I guess I shouldn't have said "beam shot"; while you couldn't see the beam you could surely see the destruction it must have wrought, and that's what I meant by wishing there was a non-classified video available (though I suppose we can hope to see one in the future, as sometimes these defense contractors do release pics and vids).

The ABL wasn't completely canceled, from what I understand they scrapped a planned 2nd laser plane and decided to continue funding the existing one (and only one) mostly as an R&D project for now. So the funding has been cut, unfortunately, but the program is still around.

This, however, is the ATL - Advanced Tactical Laser. This one, unlike the ABL, is designed to hit ground targets and isn't as powerful. Both use chemical lasers that were built and designed by Northrop Grumman, and the fact that they do have to be re-fueled with laser chemicals is one reason that more money is being thrown at solid state laser weapons research. So it's kind of like a battery powered pointer in a way - you eventually have to "re-fuel" it ever so often. Though these chemical lasers are way worse in that regard - they only run for a few minutes one one fueling!

With the added benefit of not requiring a small power plant.

It's IR I think

Here's another good one:

"It is a chemical oxygen-iodine laser that completed the successful test," says Boeing spokesman Marc Selinger. "We don't report the actual power level."

From here:
Air Force successfully tests high-powered laser in flight - Science Fair - USATODAY.com

Gee, wonder why? Maybe they couldn't find a power meter that wouldn't get vaporized!?!