EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 12 -- An industry team led by Boeing has commenced assembly of the first airborne laser flying platform, the 747-400 Freighter, at Boeing's assembly plant in Everett, Wash. The Boeing team, which includes Lockheed Martin and TRW, is working with the US Air Force to develop a high-energy chemical oxygen iodine laser carried aboard a modified Boeing 747-400 Freighter. The laser is designed to be capable of destroying theater ballistic missiles launched hundreds of miles away.The aircraft is the first to be acquired for Air Force use under the military's new commercial off-the-shelf philosophy. The plane also is the third-ever Boeing 747-400 to use a new fuselage assembly process that results in significantly improved quality as well as reduced rejection tags and cycle time.