Feb 20, 2022
Boeing YAL-1A Airborne Laser Testbed
The Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser Testbed weapons system was a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser mounted inside a modified military Boeing 747-400F. It was primarily designed as a missile defense system to destroy tactical ballistic missiles while in boost phase. While initial testing was successful, funding for the program was cut in 2010 and the program was canceled in December 2011. The aircraft made its final flight on February 14, 2012, to Davis-Monthan AFB< Tucson, Az where it was placed into storage at the 309th AMARG (plane boneyard). It was ultimately scrapped in September 2014 after all usable parts were removed.