February 12, 2010 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), along with industry, successfully shot down a threat-representative, liquid fueled, ballistic missile and engaged a solid fuel short-range missile with the Airborne Laser (ABL) on Thurs evening 11 Feb, 2010:
"This successful test marks an incredible victory for this revolutionary directed-energy program." Franks stated. "Since coming to the U.S. Congress, I have consistently believed and advocated for this program despite numerous budget cuts and skeptics claiming that the Airborne Laser was the 'definition of insanity.' This successful test should remove any doubt whatsoever that this technology is a vital component of our ballistic missile defense system and will completely transform our ability to simultaneously defend against multiple enemy ballistic missiles in that critical window after they are initially launched. We can now exert measured, directed force, aimed precisely at enemy targets, and do so at the speed of light, or Mach 870,000."
The Missile Defense Agency lauded last night's successful shootdown as "the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform."
Franks continued, "Last night's successful shootdown, which eliminated a short-range liquid-fueled ballistic missile in a matter of two minutes when the missiles rocket motors were still firing, should serve as final proof to any remaining critics that ABL has reached operation capability and has stepped into history as one of the most powerful and promising tools in our defensive arsenal. I commend the Missile Defense Agency and the other industry contributors whose ingenuity, skill, and patriotism made last night's success possible. Even though this Administration has taken enormous swipes at ABL's funding, it is my great hope that this test demonstrates it is a project worth the Administration's support and the Congress' funding."
