Boeing announced Tuesday that its Advanced Tactical Laser aircraft achieved another milestone when its high-energy laser successfully engaged a moving ground vehicle for the first time during a September test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The laser was fired at the vehicle as the aircraft flew overhead; it put a hole in the vehicle’s fender, said Boeing. This test built upon a previous test against a stationary vehicle back in August. “ATL has now precisely targeted and engaged both stationary and moving targets, demonstrating the transformational versatility of this speed-of-light, ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage,” said Gary Fitzmire, program director of Boeing’s directed energy systems unit. The ATL is a modified C-130H that fires the laser out of a belly turret.
F-35 Deliveries Resume After a Year on Hold
July 19, 2024
Lockheed Martin began delivering F-35s again on July 19, after a year of building the fighters and putting them directly into storage because their Tech Refresh 3 systems and software were not fully tested.