Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.[Regnum] The US Air Force has abandoned flight tests of the AC-130J Ghostrider fire support aircraft, armed with a laser cannon. This was reported by The War Zone ( TWZ ) at the US Air Force Special Operations Command.
“The AHEL laser system [a prototype of the Airborne High Energy Laser system] encountered technical problems,” the material says.
It was planned that the plane would take to the skies in January 2024. Lockheed Martin awarded the contract to AHEL in 2019. The document provided for the supply of a laser cannon for the aircraft system and support for efforts to integrate the laser system into the AC-130J. The company also led efforts to integrate the approximately 60-kilowatt system into the AC-130J.
However, in budget documents this was explained by the expected closure of the program in fiscal year 2024.
This weapon also has its drawbacks. Thus, it is unclear how the rays will be affected by difficult weather conditions. In addition, the laser only hits targets within line of sight at a distance of one and a half to five kilometers, the publication noted.
Mile to 3 Miles for us Americanos
As Regnum reported, in January the UK successfully tested the DragonFire long-range laser directed energy weapon. The tests took place at a missile test site in the Hebrides. DragonFire carried out the UK's first high-power laser weapon fire against aerial targets. The British Ministry of Defense showed footage from the tests.
In Russia, not only the Peresvet laser weapon is used in combat, but also the Zadira laser complex. The latter is capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to five kilometers.