A panel of scientists that provides independent advice to the U.S. Air Force has recommended that the flying branch go ahead with firing the solid-state slab laser from a AC-130J gunship.
“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
Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), such current lasers are suitable for a near-term demonstration as they are within the gunship’s size, weight, power and budget limits.
Neither are batteries required to power the weapon as the AC-130J’s on board electrical generators are sufficient to do the job.