The ABL did not burn through or disintegrate its target.
It heated the missile skin, weakening it, causing failure from high speed flight stress.
The laser used chemical fuel similar to rocket propellant to generate the high laser power.
Plans called for each 747 to carry enough laser fuel for about 20 shots, or perhaps as many as 40 low-power shots against fragile TBMs.
To refuel the laser, YAL-1 would have to land.
The aircraft itself could have been refueled in flight, which would have enabled it to stay aloft for long periods.
Preliminary operational plans called for the ABL to be escorted by fighters and possibly electronic warfare aircraft.
The ABL aircraft would likely have had to orbit near potential launch sites (located in hostile countries) for long periods, flying a figure-eight pattern that allows the aircraft to keep the laser aimed toward the missiles.
The ABL did not burn through or disintegrate its target. It heated the missile skin, weakening it, causing failure from high speed flight stress. The laser used chemical fuel similar to rocket propellant to generate the high laser power. Plans called for each 747 to carry enough laser fuel for about 20 shots, or perhaps as many as 40 low-power shots against fragile TBMs. To refuel the laser, YAL-1 would have to land. The aircraft itself could have been refueled in flight, which would have enabled it to stay aloft for long periods. Preliminary operational plans called for the ABL to be escorted by fighters and possibly electronic warfare aircraft. The ABL aircraft would likely have had to orbit near potential launch sites (located in hostile countries) for long periods, flying a figure-eight pattern that allows the aircraft to keep the laser aimed toward the missiles.
Boeing YAL-1