 The Airborne Laser (ABL) program is an Air Force program to develop a high-energy laser capability to negate theater ballistic missiles in the boost phase. The concept uses a chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) operating at high power on a 747-400 aircraft with a beam director in the nose of the aircraft. The system will have the capability to negate a wide variety of theater class missiles at ranges of 100's of kilometers. The ABL missile defense demonstration is planned for later this decade. On the ABL program, Schafer provides:
 | High energy laser device engineering support | | Mission effectiveness |
Schafer has been instrumental in providing constructive solutions to several technical challenges in the laser device subsystem and the pressure recovery system. Schafer supports the testing of the COIL and the development of the associated facilities necessary to support the ABL on location.
Schafer has developed an extensive modeling simulation and analysis capability with the Integrated Strategic Architecture Analysis Code (ISAAC) that is used to assess the mission effectiveness of the ABL. Schafer uses this tool to conduct analyses for the ABL SPO and on occasion has facilitated the use of ISAAC by several other government agencies where it was needed to support the program. ISAAC is able to treat the mission of theater missile defense as well as several auxiliary missions, which the ABL may be called upon to accomplish. These auxiliary missions include suppression of enemy air defenses, protection of high value aircraft and self-protection. ISAAC is also used for other high-energy laser mission effectiveness analyses.
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