A Lockheed AC-130W Stinger II gunship belonging to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will test the military's first solid state laser mounted aboard a combat aircraft.

In addition, this particular "Whiskey" will also be transformed into an "aircraft carrier" (in the real sense of the word) to test the feasibility of launching the Coyote UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), an expendable, low cost drone used for tactical reconnaissance, in mid-flight.

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The AC-130W is normally armed with one 30 mm Bushmaster cannon; AGM-176 Griffins (a precision guided missile with a 6 kg warhead) and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), a 110 kg precision-guided glide bomb. With its advanced targeting capabilities and precise weapons, the Whiskey is normally used for close air support, air interdiction and force protection.

The laser cannon will occupy the 30 mm cannon position forward of the wing where airflow is less disturbed. AFSOC wants to either install a 60 kW or a 120 kW solid state laser to be used for knocking-out stationary vehicles, aircraft and fixed communications sites such as radio towers.

AFSOC has published a secret concept of operations document detailing the way a laser-equipped gunship is to be used in battle. The U.S. Department of Defense is defining tactics, techniques and procedures for laser weapon use.

The sole user of the various models of the AC-130 is the United States Air Force. In the Air Force's inventory are the AC-130H Spectre, AC-130U Spooky, AC-130J Ghostrider and AC-130W Stinger II.

The gunship squadrons are part of AFSOC, a component of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

The Air Force will first test the laser weapons on larger aircraft such as the AC-130 and C-17 Globemaster until miniaturization allows these powerful weapons to be mounted on fighter jets such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor and the F-35.             

TagsLockheed AC-130W Stinger II, Coyote UAS, 120 kW solid state laser, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command