Laser Gunship Revealed

Posted by Algonkin in Science & Tech, Weapons & War on December 13, 2007 at 6:44 pm

C-130 Boeing has taken the first step in making the laser gunship a reality by installing the weapon on a C-130H.

Boeing completed the laser installation Dec. 4 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The laser, including its major subsystem, a 12,000-pound integrated laser module, was moved into place aboard the aircraft and aligned with the previously-installed beam control system, which will direct the laser beam to its target.

With the laser installed, Boeing is set to conduct a series of tests leading up to a demonstration in 2008 in which the program will fire the laser in-flight at mission-representative ground targets to demonstrate the military utility of high-energy lasers. The test team will fire the laser through a rotating turret that extends through the aircraft’s belly.

ATL, which Boeing is developing for the U.S. Department of Defense, will destroy, damage or disable targets with little to no collateral damage, supporting missions on the battlefield and in urban operations.

Link: defensetech

 
Comment (13)    Permalink   Please share:  email this         

Neatorama Shop » By Artist » Mike Jacobsen T-Shirts