[1] The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) maintained controlling oversight of the NC-135 flight test aircraft.

[2] Big Crow is the designation of the two NKC-135 test-bed aircraft (55-3132 and 63-8050) heavily modified for electronic warfare testing.

The test validated the system's ability to track an airborne target and measure and compensate for atmospheric distortion.

Tests included successful interceptions of small air-to-air missiles (such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder) and of drone aircraft.

However, the SCUD threat faced during the Gulf War reignited interest in an airborne laser system, resulting in the Boeing YAL-1.