Squawk7777
19th Feb 2002, 00:49
[quote]. .The United States Air Force is preparing to add a laser cannon to the already bristling armament of its AC-130 gunship called the Spectre.
Codenamed AC-X and nicknamed Son of Spectre, the workhorse AC 130 will hold a chemical oxygen iodine laser (Coil), capable of carrying out lethal and non-lethal attacks. In the Coil, the power of a chemical reaction is converted to laser energy, and the weapon can carry on firing as long as its power source is intact.
The power source has been the biggest hurdle in development so far and is why the first version of the weapon will be placed on the large C-130. It is simply too big to fit in any smaller aircraft. Developers, however, believe smaller and smaller versions will be developed that eventually can be carried aboard fighters and bombers.
The laser is expected to be able to shoot down missiles, burn holes in aircraft and knock out ground radar stations.
This next-generation gunship, in addition to the laser, will continue to carry all the weaponry already used on the AC-130, including twin 20mm Vulcan cannon, 40mm Bofor cannon, and a 105mm Howitzer.
The Spectre, flown by the 16th Special Operations Squadron, has a crew of 13, including two observers using television and infra-red images to direct the four gunners on to their target.
Working in pairs, normally providing close air support for special forces ground operations, Spectres can circle targets for hours, pulverising areas the size of football pitches with extraordinary precision.
The Spectre has, however, come to the end of its operational life and further upgrades have been ruled out on cost grounds.
The Pentagon has yet to announce when the new laser-equipped "Son of Spectre" will come into operation, but it is understood the first version could be involved in military operations within two years. <hr></blockquote>
Source: Telegraph UK
Codenamed AC-X and nicknamed Son of Spectre, the workhorse AC 130 will hold a chemical oxygen iodine laser (Coil), capable of carrying out lethal and non-lethal attacks. In the Coil, the power of a chemical reaction is converted to laser energy, and the weapon can carry on firing as long as its power source is intact.
The power source has been the biggest hurdle in development so far and is why the first version of the weapon will be placed on the large C-130. It is simply too big to fit in any smaller aircraft. Developers, however, believe smaller and smaller versions will be developed that eventually can be carried aboard fighters and bombers.
The laser is expected to be able to shoot down missiles, burn holes in aircraft and knock out ground radar stations.
This next-generation gunship, in addition to the laser, will continue to carry all the weaponry already used on the AC-130, including twin 20mm Vulcan cannon, 40mm Bofor cannon, and a 105mm Howitzer.
The Spectre, flown by the 16th Special Operations Squadron, has a crew of 13, including two observers using television and infra-red images to direct the four gunners on to their target.
Working in pairs, normally providing close air support for special forces ground operations, Spectres can circle targets for hours, pulverising areas the size of football pitches with extraordinary precision.
The Spectre has, however, come to the end of its operational life and further upgrades have been ruled out on cost grounds.
The Pentagon has yet to announce when the new laser-equipped "Son of Spectre" will come into operation, but it is understood the first version could be involved in military operations within two years. <hr></blockquote>
Source: Telegraph UK