SOFIC 2016: USAF wants laser gunships
US Air Force Special Operations Command is looking for industry assistance in integrating lasers on AC-130 series gunships.
Speaking at SOFIC in Tampa, Florida, Lt Gen Bradley Heithold, Cdr of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), said that they need industry help on the ‘new gun’ they are discussing for the AC-130J.
‘That “gun” has got to be a high energy laser,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t have to go on 37 [aircraft] but it will go on a handful of airframes.’
He asked for industry to show how best to integrate a high energy laser on the AC-130J by the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Drones, C-UAS and air base investments top the list in $42 billion US-Qatar defence deal]()
Drones, C-UAS and air base investments top the list in $42 billion US-Qatar defence deal
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems secured a nearly $2 billion deal for MQ-9B uncrewed aerial systems, while Raytheon’s counter-UAS system was secured for $1 billion.
-
![Leonardo CEO urges “speed as important as money” as joint ventures progress picks up]()
Leonardo CEO urges “speed as important as money” as joint ventures progress picks up
The company’s Q1 2025 results showed a 20% increase in new orders and a 15% increase in revenue across the business.
-
![Rheinmetall vehicle sales almost double as European companies see continued growth]()
Rheinmetall vehicle sales almost double as European companies see continued growth
Results for Q1 2025 have been strong across the board for many defence companies in Europe with forward-looking statements and predictions for the full year also looking good.
-
![Why is the defence market “exploding exponentially” for autonomous targeting capabilities?]()
Why is the defence market “exploding exponentially” for autonomous targeting capabilities?
Solutions that identify, engage and destroy targets with minimal or no human intervention are becoming critical on tomorrow’s battlefield.
