| General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has
designed a high-energy liquid laser tactical weapon module for its “Predator C” Avenger UAV (HEL Avenger), but it can also be adapted to suit the AC-130U Spooky and V-22 Osprey. The company is currently testing the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defence System (HELLADS) for the air force |
AFSOC developing tactics for '2020' AC-130 gunship laser weapon
The
head of US Air Force Special Operations Command has issued a “JFK
challenge” to the defence industry to install a high-power electric
laser on an AC-130 gunship by the end of the decade.
Lt
Gen Bradley Heithold says just as US president John F Kennedy wanted to
put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s, he wants a laser-armed
gunship by 2020. The commander issued the challenge at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in Washington this week.
He
wants the system to weigh less than 2,268kg (5,000lbs) and occupy a
space no greater than one gun position on the latest AC-130J
“Ghostrider” gunship.
AFSOC has no plans to zap humans with the laser
since that would go against several long-standing international
treaties, like the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons.
Instead,
the special forces community wants to disable incoming missiles and
silently burn holes in solid targets like communications towers, boats,
cars and aircraft.
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