Have we seen YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL) in action?

[Wijgert IJlst]

Have we seen the YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL) in action above the Norwegian skies, while intercepting and destroying a Russian RSM-56 Bulava?
Could be a plausible explanation for the strange sighting above the Norwegian skies last night.

Here some pictures, video footage and articles on the internet:


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/rkx7myyAk4s[/youtube]

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=no&tl=en



The YAL-1A ABL is capable of intercepting and distroying ballistic missiles such as a Bulava. The US Gov. would not admit they test the ABL on a Russian Missile, and the Russian them self have RSM-56 Bulava still in a test stage where 7 of the 13 test launches have failed. For them it would be a dissaster if it would come to light it has been shot down by the USAF.

So what do you think?

[Gerard]

Artikeltje in de Telegraaf

[Wijgert IJlst]

Yes, I also read somewhere else that the Russian now say it is a failed test. But what suprises me is the very bright light which shines on the spiraling trails. Can this extreme bright light be explained as belonging to this ballistic missile?
Then also the question raises was this failed test only caused by a malfunctioning missile engine, or was there also an external factor the Russian do not know about/or not wanna talk about.
They informed the Northern NATO HQ in Bodo before the test launch, if they are aware... then it might be a small step to inform the YAL-1 unit. Okay, I'm only speculating... I don't even know how the (light)effect of the Airborne Laser looks like... but I would think the light on the spiraling trails of the malfunctioning is way to bright. Can any one explain this, or perhaps tell me what kind of effect you might see when the YAL-1 is operating its laser?

Here another video footage from the Dutch news: http://content.nos.nl/player/play/tcm:5-612075/

[pjotrtje]

A laser is an extremely focused ray of light, depending on the type it is visible (red and blue lasers) or ultraviolet. Contrary to popular belief, laser beams itself are quite invisible seen from side on (unless they're travelling through clouds of water or dust); the laser emitter itself may be seen as a bright 'star' in the skies.

[Stratofreighter]

Regarding a possible interception and destruction of a Russian missile by American defence forces: Wijgert, you're not serious are you

An action like this would of course not be beneficial for American-Russian relations. Perhaps Bush would not have minded much, but Obama does!

[Wijgert IJlst]

I don't know what to think... I would think it could come to a big escalation if this is true. But we have seen stranger things in history.

I'm only just looking for a logical explanation for the bright blue light. Perhaps just (sun/moon)light reflection on the trails/vortex from the missile. Thanks Pjotrtje for your explanation. Judging on it, the blue light could in that case been caused by a laser shining on the exhausttrails/vortex. YAL-1 or not... it still was a very unique sight.

As this is the Tattle Lounge this is a fun place for some discussion and debating on subjects like this.

[Stratofreighter]

Cannot find (m)any references at present, but I understood Obama wanted to scrap the whole programme. Robert Gates proposed to turn the Airborne Laser project into a research programme.
If I am correct the second YAL-1A aircraft is now cancelled from the defence budget.

[pjotrtje]

Judging on it, the blue light could in that case been caused by a laser shining on the exhausttrails/vortex.

Not so much: a laser is extremely small in diameter. It would never, ever be able to highlight the sky the way it has been captured in the photo. It COULD have been done through the really low tech and relatively low-intensity commercial 'sky beams'-lasers you see a lot with festivals and so on. But not the high intensity, high energy single beam from YAL-1A.

[Wijgert IJlst]

Okay, thanks Pieter for clearing this up. Always good to relay on people which are well informed.

Stratofreighter, in relation to your comment I personally also thought that the ABL-program was cancelled.
I know you can not always trust sources like Wikipedia, but they state the following:

In an 6 April 2009 press conference, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is recommending the cancellation of the planned second ABL aircraft and that the program return to a Research and Development effort. "The ABL program has significant affordability and technology problems and the program’s proposed operational role is highly questionable," Gates said in making the recommendation.

There was a test launch just off the coast of California on 6 June 2009. If successful the new Airborne Laser Aircraft could be ready for operation by 2013. President Obama had originally said that he was cutting the fund for that program but it was recommended by Secretary of Defense that they should keep it. On 13 August 2009 the first in-flight test of the YAL-1 culminated with a successful firing of the SHEL at an instrumented test missile.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Aug. 18 2009 successfully fired the high-energy laser aboard the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft in flight for the first time, the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base and fired its high-energy laser while flying over the California High Desert. The laser was fired into an onboard calorimeter, which captured the beam and measured its power.

Think we can conclude it is a nice technology testbed, which can perhaps be used for future purposes (on satalites perhaps?), and will never see operational service within the USAF I would guess.

[11E]

Have we seen the YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL) in action above the Norwegian skies, while intercepting and destroying a Russian RSM-56 Bulava?
Could be a plausible explanation for the strange sighting above the Norwegian skies last night.

Here some pictures, video footage and articles on the internet:


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/rkx7myyAk4s[/youtube]

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=no&tl=en



The YAL-1A ABL is capable of intercepting and distroying ballistic missiles such as a Bulava. The US Gov. would not admit they test the ABL on a Russian Missile, and the Russian them self have RSM-56 Bulava still in a test stage where 7 of the 13 test launches have failed. For them it would be a dissaster if it would come to light it has been shot down by the USAF.

So what do you think?

The US can mess around with lesser equipped states without any big problems or risks, but shooting down a strategic nuclear missile from another nuclear power (which Russia still is) just for testing its own laser system can be a little tricky at least. Its a little bit different than intercepting each others planes and sometimes shoot at them.

For the colours, the solid fuel consist of various chemicals which maybe burn in some nice colours. (strontium gives red colour in fireworks for example). The missile itself is claimed to be capable of making evasive manoeuvres to penetrate missile defence systems. Spiralling was mentioned as being one of those counter measures.

My two cents,
Regards,
Lesley