"Ugly Bob" <ugly_bob42@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<h2uHa.4459$Fa6.3341@sccrnsc02>...

"Brad Guth" <bradguth@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5d28ff28.0306161000.7decdcd4@posting.google.com...

I got the current location (EAFB) from an official looking document
that was posted (unclassified) for all to see.

"Oversized" because of the rather noticeable appendage running nearly
the full length along the top exterior of the main airframe. That

 Look again, I see nothing similar to what you're describing. It
just looks like a "seven four" with a big schnoz...

http://airbornelaser.com/special/abl/pics-clips/aar1_shryne.html

first 747 conversion wasn't exactly anything internal/stealth, as of

 What does stealth have to do with a 747?

the additional power needed to deliver a 1+GW input took up some space
as well as a dedicated turbine power plant.

 Power's not the problem, cooling is.

I believe TRW is or was the prime laser contractor, via Raytheon
and/or Phantom Works.

 Apparently so.

"under development" also includes flight tests, for targeting and
thermal efficiency, as otherwise how are all those bucks being
qualified?

 First things first. Let's just see if it can fly with all that stuff in
there.
Weapon system testing comes later.

                                                        -Ugly Bob

At a 1% power level and of a lesser duty cycle, full tracking as well
as thermal delivery could be safely evaluated and/or confirmed, where
the cooling aspects would have or at least should have been minimal,
thus the catchy phrase "cannon test firing".

Regards, Brad Guth / IEIS  1-253-8576061  http://guthvenus.tripod.com
alternate URL: http://www.geocities.com/bradguth