In 2002 the goal was to improve the ability of the United States Air Force to track missiles and then efficiently transmit laser energy through the atmosphere to destroy them.
Overall, 40 people are working on the project, most of whom reside in offices at the Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, about 140 miles (230 km) away.
The denser air at these lower test elevations makes it possible to take the collected data and scale it to the higher altitudes and longer ranges envisioned for the Airborne Laser.
During a test, North Oscura and Salinas Peaks are in constant communications, and a laser cannot propagate unless several failsafe measures are in force at both locations.
However, in late January 1999, it was replaced with a $2.5 million, 1 metre (39 inches) telescope built for the Research Laboratory by Contraves Brasher Systems in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Although three to four missile launches may take place each year, Laboratory scientists will be getting better data from a different “target” — a single engine propeller driven Cessna Caravan airplane.
This test aircraft will carry a scoring board comprising a range of detectors that will be able to gather greater amounts and more complete information than will be available from the missiles.