Boeing recently concluded a month-long series of wind tunnel test on a model of a modified 747-400F freighter to confirm the design of components critical to the Airborne Laser (ABL) program. The tests focused on the design of the nose turret that will aim the laser and on the laser exhuast system. Team ABL -- led by Boeing and including TRW and Lockheed Martin -- is designing and developing the ABL for the U.S. Air Force. A fleet of seven ABL aircraft, scheduled for deployment by 2008, could destroy theater ballistic missiles in the boost phase of their flight immediately after launch.