Able One [Mass Market Paperback]

The North Korean army launches a nuclear missile into space. When they ignite the missile the subsequent explosion causes electromagnetic shockwaves. Several key communication satellites are destroyed and global communication is devastated around the world.

Intelligence is lacking and fearing an even further crippling of command and control communication, the American military prepare to launch ABL-1that can take out a missile though this laser system is untested. At the same time, POTUS tries to react to the crisis without starting World War III.

This is an interesting tale based on scientific electromagnetic pulse bomb theory as deployed by a military unit that goes ironically rogue inside of the most probably rogue country in the world. The story line is loaded with action; too much as seemingly important threads are left dangling. Still in spite of the over abundance of subplots, Ben Bova provides his audience with a fascinating geo-political technological thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Able-One (2010) is a standalone technothriller novel. The ABL-1 is an airborne laser prototype aircraft. It is a Boeing 747-400F airplane loaded with the tanks, pipes and other parts of a chemical laser. It can fire through a nose ball to bring down ballistic missiles during the boost phase at the range of a hundred miles.

In this novel, Harry Hartunian is an engineer with a wife and two daughters. He and his wife are currently separated. He is the team chief for the ABL-1 project.

Karen Christopher is an USAF lieutenant colonel. She is a former B-2 pilot, bur now flies the ABL-1.

Obadiah Kaufman is an USAF Major. He is the copilot of the ABL-1.

Franklin P. Higgins is a four-star USAF general. He is currently assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Zuri Coggins is a member of National Security Advisor's staff.

Michael Jamil is a civilian analyst from the National Intelligence Council.

Brad Scheib is a USAF Major General from the Missile Defense Agency.

In this story, the North Koreans launch a missile into geosynchronous orbit with a nuclear warhead. The electromagnetic pulse from the exploding warhead takes down all satellites that lack protection for onboard electronics. All civilian satellite services are lost when the hardware fails.

Communication outages are the first indication of these losses. Most crosscountry cables have been taken out of service with the use of the communications satellites, so many interstate and international phone services are no longer available. Television programs can no longer be transmitted crosscountry to the local stations. GPS and weather service outages are also soon noticed.

While military orbitals are hardened, their throughput is insufficient for normal military communications. So some military traffic had been diverted to civilian channels. With loss of these alternative channels, military traffic is backing up and causing long delays.

The military respond to the threat by forming an emergency action team under General Higgins. Coggins, Jamil and Scheib are present, but the others are unavailable due to the loss of communications. The National Reconnaissance Office has already located the North Korean launch site and the team has an image.

The view shows three launchers, with one empty. The North Koreans are obviously prepared to launch the other two missiles, but nothing is moving in the image except some frozen vapor from the fuel tanks. They don't seem quite ready to launch the last two missiles.

Jamil has a theory. From the performance of the first flight into high orbit, he suggests that these missiles have greater range and precision than was previously estimated. He calculates that they can hit San Francisco.

Scheib disagrees with Jamil's calculations. He points out the official estimates of the missiles range and precision. He refuses to consider the possibility of upgrades to the missiles.

The President of the United States is flying to San Francisco to give a speech. He is warned that there may be a chance that the North Koreans are planning on taking him out with two nukes. He refuses to turn back for fear of being called a coward.

Meanwhile, The ABL-1 crew are taking off from Elmendorf Air Base for a test run. They are notified inflight that the ABL-1 has a live target. Harry and his team are not happy, but agree to try to take out the remaining missiles.

Kaufman is also unhappy, but mostly with flying as copilot after USAF headquarters has forced a senior pilot into the crew. Christopher is just happy to get another combat mission. The other two crew members look upon the mission as just another task.

This tale takes the ABL-1 toward the North Korean coastline. The DPRK insists that their sovereign waters extend two hundred miles, but the range of the laser is estimated at a hundred miles. It is a prototype, so who knows what the true range is?

This story is based on a USAF project. A real airborne laser has shown that it can hit targets. But can it bring down a live missile at a decent range?

Other anti-missile defenses are mentioned within this story. They too exist, but have not yet been used against live missiles. All these defense systems would be very useful if anybody decides to fire a missile at the USA.

The President of the United States is not named in this story. Still, he is a Democrat and has a woman as the Secretary of State. Maybe there are other similarities to the current administration.

This novel is a cautionary tale about two real threats to the free world. The first is the threat of wiping out the civilian satellites by means of an electromagnetic pulse. Most nonmilitary satellites are not protected from EMP.

The second risk is the launch of a nuclear warhead at the USA and its allies. A few rogue nations -- including North Korea -- are currently developing longrange missiles and nuclear weapon capabilities. Also, terrorist groups might soon have access to such weapons.

Moreover, despite -- or due to -- current moves toward local democracy, some nations would like to eliminate American influence. Some nations also have hardline factions that believe they could survive a nuclear war within reinforced bunkers deep underground. The masses would suffer great losses, but these leaders might survive.

The author is showing his age in one regard. The US Army no longer has a rank of Tech Sergeant. In 1948, the title of Technical Sergeant was replaced in the Army with the designation of Sergeant First Class. The Air Force does still have such a title.

Recommended for Bova fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales based on real systems and hardware. Read and enjoy!

-Bill Jordin

I've been reading Mr. Bova for close to 4 decades.
Mostly enjoyed all his offerings.
This offering is just terrible, characters are not just paper mache, but 2 dimensional cardboard cut outs.
Plot line is totally unbelievable &, since he finished in 7/09, would he have us believe the One would react as his President does?
The whole story would end w/2 HE Tomahawk missiles, submarine launched or an F-22 dropping a paveway on the launch site! Hardly a WWIII precurser!
Too bad Amazon won't give me $$ back for a crappy book!