The Boeing 747 is an immediately recognizable aircraft, but one of its most unusual incarnations must surely be that of an airborne laser testbed. Going under the nomenclature AL-1, this Boeing 747-400F features a chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) mounted inside the fuselage. This laser, whose six modules weighs in at around 18,000kg, is designed to shoot down tactical ballistic missiles. For this task, it’s assisted by two target illuminator lasers that track the target. Since the program was initiated in 1996, AL-1 has successfully targeted missiles, the first occasion being in February 2010. However, after USD5.2 billion had been spent on the project, the US Air Force (USAF) conceded the AL-1 “does not reflect something that is operationally viable.
The Dragon Warbirds model of this airborne laser aircraft is built precisely to 1/400 scale, and it accurately depicts the prototype that first flew in 2002. The aircraft carries the requisite USAF markings, as well as the massive nose-mounted turret housing the laser. AL-1 is assigned to the 417th Flight Test Squadron Airborne Laser Combined Test Force based at Edwards Air Force Base. While the aircraft seems destined never to become operational, Warbirds brings it to life with pinpoint accuracy in miniature scale!
- 1/400 true-to-scale precision model
- Displayable die-cast aircraft with high collectible value
- Aesthetically pleasing color finish with delicate imprinted markings
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