YAL-1A Airborne LaserYAL 1A Airborne Laser airplane model. The ABL weapon system will use a high energy, chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) mounted on a modified 747 400F (freighter) aircraft to shoot down theater ballistic missiles in their boost phase. A crew of four, including pilot and copilot, will operate the airborne laser, which will patrol in pairs at high altitude, about 40,000 feet. The jets will fly in orbits over friendly territory, scanning the horizon for