The U.S. Air Force is on course to field a podded, tactical laser on the AC-130W by 2020, and eventually the fighter community will get a laser weapon as well.
“Airborne-laser” by US Air Force – http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/090618-F-0000X-101.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia.
Speaking at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference, Air Force Special Operational Command (AFSOC) chief, Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, said the laser will generate power greater than 120kw and is meant for destroying ground targets, not humans.
When technology matures enough to reduce the size, weight and power sensitivity of the weapon, it will used by fighters to take out surface-to-air defense, said ACC chief Gen. Herbert Carlisle.
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