Dr. Scott Sallberg was named the Technical Contractor of the Year for 2010 by the Airborne Laser Testbed System Program Office (ALTB SPO). As part of MZA's long-standing relationship with the ALTB program, Dr. Sallberg provides engagement and beam control system modeling as an on-site contractor to the SPO. His efforts represent yet another way in which MZA has distinguished itself in support of the United States' flagship high energy laser weapons program.

Dr. Sallberg's is the latest honor that MZA employees have received from the ALTB SPO. MZA's contributions were recently identified as key to the ALTB Performance Analysis team having received the 2010 Annual Air Force Modeling and Simulation Award for Cross Functional modeling and Mr. Robert Suizu has been recognized for his ALTB accomplishments in past periods.

On February 11, 2010, the ALTB destroyed a boosting ballistic missile (see the video). Not only is this the first successful demonstration of a lethal air-to-air laser weapon against a ballistic missile, it is the first time ever that a ballistic missile has been destroyed while in its boost phase. MZA has been a leader in modeling and analysis of the ALTB since the High Energy Laser (HEL) system was first conceived in the early 1990's. MZA provided risk reduction analysis during the initial conception and procurement of the system and then, starting in 2000, MZA provided the Missile Defense Agency's program office simulation, modeling, and analysis expertise in the areas of beam control, weapons performance prediction, and engagement analysis. As a long-time contributor to directed energy programs, MZA played a crucial role in this proof-of-concept demonstration.