Airborne laser participates in Roving Sands exercise

Airborne laser participates in Roving Sands exercise

Released: 10 Jun 1999

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- The airborne laser here is participating in "Roving Sands '99," the world's largest joint tactical air operations exercise, starting June 15.

Working in a computer-simulation role, the airborne laser will be used to destroy theater missiles launched against friendly troops. In a typical battle, the airborne laser will fly at an altitude of around 40,000 feet and use a laser to destroy attacking missiles from hundreds of kilometers away.

Centered at Fort Bliss, Texas, this U.S. Atlantic Command exercise will encompass 14,000 square miles of west Texas and New Mexico. Roving Sands will simulate a Middle East scenario and involve an estimated 20,000 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine personnel over a 12-day period. A variety of countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, will also participate.

Roving Sands will allow participating units from every service and level of command to use their training and experience, where military skills can be evaluated under realistic battlefield conditions.

The airborne laser participated in the Roving Sands exercise two years go.