Boeing YAL-1 to TUS boneyard

MikeD

MikeD

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Anyone else see the irony of a 747 and this guy? "747's with freakin laser beams!!!"

dr_evil1.jpg



Now back to the seriousness of all of this. While it was a really neat idea, in order for it to be a viable missle defense system a fewe thing need to exist, as well, not exist. #1, we need a credible threat from a country that will actually launch missles that this things was desgined for to actually have the capibility to reach us. I'm not sure we have a threat like that in the world right now. #2 would be keeping this thing in the air constantly so it could be effective. That would be cost prohibitive IMO.

But what we would need to not have is a system in place that was already a defense to shoot down a missle that this thing was desgined for. Don't we already have that in place? I seem to recall a test of a system circa 2006.
 
This is the second generation. The USAF had a laser equipped airplane in the 70s that had knocked down missiles. I think they should have fielded it if practicable, as it could have been a very useful tool, for the pariah nations like nk or iran that might get one or two warheads. I know it had a lot of development probs, and I always enjoyed seeing it at mcconnell afb.
 
Roger Roger said:
Him? Naw he's just a crazy old man... His ideas would never actually WORK.
:sarcasm:

Also, he doesn't look presidential!
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Right all three times, but that doesn't reduce the large amount of respect I have for him adding variety and integrity to an on average boring and douchey Republican primary field.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Right all three times, but that doesn't reduce the large amount of respect I have for him adding variety and integrity to an on average boring and douchey Republican primary field.
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Oh man, watching Santorum and Romney battle back and forth is Must-See TV! :)

You, you big snob with your bachelor's degree!
 
The YAL-1's problem is the same as any other versions; there would have to be dozens of them located all over in order for them to do their tactical job successfully. Even in the Reagan military, that wouldn't have been economically feasible.
 
mshunter said:
While it was a really neat idea, in order for it to be a viable missle defense system a fewe thing need to exist, as well, not exist. #1, we need a credible threat from a country that will actually launch missles that this things was desgined for to actually have the capibility to reach us. I'm not sure we have a threat like that in the world right now. #2 would be keeping this thing in the air constantly so it could be effective. That would be cost prohibitive IMO.
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Well, #1 could happen someday... And it would be better to be past the 10 yr + procedure to procure new military hardware.

And as for #2, TACAMO seems to make it work somehow... We've stood down from 24 hr airborne ops, but I think the YAL, or a similar aircraft, could adopt an alert system much like we employ to always be ready. Makes for some interesting 3am alert practices.
 
MercFE said:
And as for #2, TACAMO seems to make it work somehow... We've stood down from 24 hr airborne ops, but I think the YAL, or a similar aircraft, could adopt an alert system much like we employ to always be ready. Makes for some interesting 3am alert practices.
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If all you need is JP-8 and a coffee maker, its easy. If you need a small chemical industrial plant everywhere you go just to support your chemical laser, then the costs start to balloon.
 
I saw it on the ramp at DMA the day it flew in. They moved it over to the AMARG side that night. Pretty sure it's still on their ramp getting all the sensitive stuff removed.
 
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