U.S. Special Forces Test Laser Gunship For Covert Strikes
The prospect of laser fire from above moved closer with an announcement from the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) that they will test fire a high-energy laser weapon from an AC-130J aircraft in 2022. The plan was disclosed at the at the Virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference this week.
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a fearsome flying arsenal. Like its Vietnam-era gunship predecessors, it carries a radar-guided 105mm howitzer and 30mm rapid fire cannon. The modern version also has precision strike capability, dropping 250-pound GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs and 34-pound laser-guided AGM-176 Griffin missiles.
The gunship laser is an offensive weapon intended to take out targets on the ground. The question is: what targets?
These are the exact same airplanes that routinely fly at the Salisbury airport. Does anyone really know the true reason why so many military airplanes are flying at our local airport?
The area has ALWAYS had military flying in the area. You live in an area that is close to several key military instillations by air. Nothing but military training and exercises
12:51 PM - The real, true reason for so many touch and go landings (they rarely fully land**) is its size and proximity to DAFB, where squadrons of active and reserve pilots train and have to carry out X number of tasks monthly to stay familiar and keep flight ratings. The airport itself contracts with DoD for the use of the runways to the tune of over $500,000 annually. That money is one of the things that keeps this sleepy little airport alive.
** - They should stop more often for the excellent deli food.😋
These are the exact same airplanes that routinely fly at the Salisbury airport. Does anyone really know the true reason why so many military airplanes are flying at our local airport?
ReplyDeleteThe area has ALWAYS had military flying in the area. You live in an area that is close to several key military instillations by air. Nothing but military training and exercises
DeleteThere's where ALL your tax dollars are going. WTF do we need a laser weapon for??
ReplyDelete@12:52 Precision strikes and cheaper in the long run over bombs and more eco friendly
DeleteI know some Dems that this would be good on
ReplyDeleteThen on to the drone delivery platform that can light your cigar from 30,000 feet with an operator 12,000 miles away.
ReplyDeleteTest it over Iran !!! LOL
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ReplyDeleteThis is one badazz airplane.
Make a Run over Congress !!! LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteI sure hope it a lot higher powered then the article states. If not, it's a waist of $$$.
ReplyDelete12:51 PM - The real, true reason for so many touch and go landings (they rarely fully land**) is its size and proximity to DAFB, where squadrons of active and reserve pilots train and have to carry out X number of tasks monthly to stay familiar and keep flight ratings. The airport itself contracts with DoD for the use of the runways to the tune of over $500,000 annually.
ReplyDeleteThat money is one of the things that keeps this sleepy little airport alive.
** - They should stop more often for the excellent deli food.😋
WRONG! The county does not have an agreement with the Department of Defense that pays to the airport $500,000 annually. And the deli has closed.
DeleteAC/DC 130 !!!!
ReplyDeleteFly it over the Border Wall for Patrol !!! Better than a Fence !!!
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ReplyDeleteThis can be used to take out bad guys pretty quietly.. much less kerfuffle than that produced by a Hellfire missile.
Fly it over those Illegal China Islands !!!!
ReplyDeleteUse it on China's wet markets and labs.
ReplyDeleteGoing to be used on citizens not practicing social distancing.
ReplyDelete