Boeing 747SP YAL-2 & AWACS

(new livery version here)
(old, just awacs version here)

The Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser Testbed (formerly Airborne Laser) weapons system was a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) mounted inside a modified military Boeing 747-400F, with its first flight in 2002. It was primarily designed as a missile defense system to destroy tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) while in boost phase. The aircraft was designated YAL-1A in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Defense. (read more here)

This specific version of the 747 ALT was created in 2003 after the first successful flight of the YAL-1. After it served the same purpose as the YAL-1 until 2016, the United States airforce and nasa created the new test bed: the YAL-2 N158PA. This was also no longer a modified 747-400F, it was a smaller, yet more advanced modified 747SP. Along with an inclosed missile defense radar, it was also modified to be fitted as an auxiliary AWACS radar system; this modifications main purpose was to test the radars capabilities.

Controls

Normal aircraft controls; just don’t press 1 as it makes the AWACS radars spin, but it isn’t on correctly so it fails.

Creators

Radar nose from: @JacksEpicGamingYT

AWACS radar from: @BRASS490

747SP from: @1918