97-25957. Notice of Availability of Record of Decision (ROD) for the Program Definition and Risk Reduction Phase of the Airborne Laser Program (PDRR ABL)

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 51461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25957]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Availability of Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Program Definition and Risk Reduction Phase of the Airborne Laser 
Program (PDRR ABL)

    On September 16, 1997, the Air Force signed the ROD for the Program 
Definition and Risk Reduction Phase of the Airborne Laser Program (PDRR 
ABL). The decisions included in the ROD were made in consideration of, 
but not limited to, the information contained in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency on June 13, 1997.
    The decision rendered by the US Air Force is that the USAF will 
proceed with PDRR ABL Phase test activities at the following locations:

Home Base activities, including weapon system integration, ground tests 
and initial aircraft flight tests, will take place at Edwards Air Force 
Base, California.
Diagnostic test activities for initial short-range PDRR ABL equipment 
tests with non-destructive low-and high-power laser operations will 
take place over White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Expanded-area test activities for long-range PDRR ABL equipment checks 
with low-and high-power laser operations and firing of the high-energy 
laser will take place over the Western Range (Vandenberg Air Force Base 
and Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center, California). Target missiles 
will be destroyed during this test phase.

    The implementation of the PDRR ABL Phase test activities will 
proceed with minimal adverse impact to the environment. This action 
conforms with applicable Federal, State and local statutes and 
regulations, and all reasonable and practical efforts have been 
incorporated to minimize harm to the local public and the environment.
    Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to: Major 
Heidi Brothers [phone]. Correspondence should be sent to: SMC/TM 
Airborne Laser System Program Office, 1351 Wyoming Blvd. SE Bldg. 
20201, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM 87117-5557.
Barbara A. Carmichael,
Alternate Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-25957 Filed 9-30-97; 8:45 am]
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