micro 0 #1 October 14, 2006 Does anyone else find it strangely ironic that our country's military is testing laser weapon technology on this old turboprop aircraft? Yeah, yeah, I know, the herc is still a formidable platform and all that... still, it makes me chuckle. ----------------- Laser-Cannon AC-130 Tests Begin By BRUCE ROLFSEN A laser-cannon version of the AC-130 gunship has begun flight testing, according to U.S. Air Force and Boeing Co. officials. The “low-power” flight tests began Oct. 10 and continue through the fall. The flights over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico involve evaluating how well the laser gunship’s target tracking system works. A low-power, solid-state lasers serves as the surrogate for a high-powered chemical laser still being developed. The high-powered laser was fired for the first time on Sept. 21 in ground tests at Albuquerque, N.M., an achievement known as "first light," a Boeing statement said. The ground tests will continue through the fall. In 2007, Boeing will install the high-powered laser in the C-130H and fire the laser at ground targets. The laser beam will be fired through a rotating turret mounted into an existing 50-inch-diameter hole in the C-130H's belly. The advanced tactical laser is a Defense Department and U.S. Special Operations Command advanced concept technology demonstration program with Boeing as the main contractor. Central to the project is the Air Force Research Lab's Directed Energy Directorate and the 46th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., which provided the C-130H. A $200 million test budget will carry the project through flight testing. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #2 October 14, 2006 better to test on a slower moving aircraft until you're sure you can control it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #3 October 14, 2006 Yea it does but there'll probably be other reasons if you're looking at the entire system avionics, targeting, personnel, tactics etc. and want to field it quickly and cost effectively. AC-130 spectre gunship platform is one obvious jump off point. I just hope it can do something one of those platforms can't. I remember seeing footage of a star-wars era version of this trying to shoot down a sidewinder. When the early tests were done they inspected the plane and found tiny scorch marks all over the inside of the aircraft. It turned out the laser was superheating the dust particles in the air inside the aircraft and they'd fly around & scorch anything they touched. So they learned to filter & seal the air in the laser housing. Stuff you don't think about when building your flying laser superweapon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #4 October 14, 2006 The Herc is still being built, despite it's old design origins. The AC-130 is super accurate for what it does. It's the perfect test bed.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #5 October 14, 2006 QuoteThe Herc is still being built, despite it's old design origins. The AC-130 is super accurate for what it does. It's the perfect test bed. isn't like the longest plane ever in production? it's built in GA, isn't it? I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livetofall 0 #6 October 14, 2006 the laser technology has got really sweet. I have a 193mw 532nm (green) laser that will pop a balloon at 25ft in 20sec at10ft less than a sec. and this is hand held size of a medium flashlight. I am still waiting on goggles so i can actually aim it better as the reflection could cause permanent blind spot. this baby wanst cheap but i bet it will be worth double once they outlaw or restrict.my real fun investment the ones you buy for $50 are only 5mw. last boogie I stopped by(injured) i brought a 50mw. was really cool in the bonfire smoke. The army has a supplier for 1w that they fuck with insurgents with.www.911missinglinks.com the definitive truth of 9/11..the who and why, not how You can handle the TRUTH www.theforbiddentruth.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #7 October 14, 2006 QuoteQuoteThe Herc is still being built, despite it's old design origins. The AC-130 is super accurate for what it does. It's the perfect test bed. isn't like the longest plane ever in production? it's built in GA, isn't it? Actually, I believe the B-52 has that honor now, in terms of military aircraft, I didn't look it up, so I could be wrong.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #8 October 14, 2006 I don't think the B52 is still in production, (I'm probably wrong tho) but it is still in service. I heard the plan is to keep it in service til 2040.I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #9 October 14, 2006 QuoteI don't think the B52 is still in production, (I'm probably wrong tho) but it is still in service. I heard the plan is to keep it in service til 2040. you are correct... totally new planes are not in production. so the c-130 wins the honors. but boeing is making parts for the '52, that's for sure. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #10 October 14, 2006 QuoteQuoteI don't think the B52 is still in production, (I'm probably wrong tho) but it is still in service. I heard the plan is to keep it in service til 2040. you are correct... totally new planes are not in production. so the c-130 wins the honors. but boeing is making parts for the '52, that's for sure. My bad, I was thinking "time in service" not "production"... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #11 October 14, 2006 Others have said it but... since I have intimate knowledge of this program. The "platform" in question is actually fairly new. In my last assignment I worked on the structural modifications for the test aircraft that is being used for the advanced tactical laser. The design is very cool and the aricraft itself is equally cool (it has a 6ft diameter turret in the floor between the wings and the cockpit...) and strangely enough I signed off on the structural modifications... as a lowly 1st Lt... I guess that's what I get for being a structural engineer... and btw: there's nothing low tech about the C-130J model... What I found most humorous about this program is that everytime I would make a "Real Genius" reference nobody in the program office would get it... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #12 October 14, 2006 Quoteisn't like the longest plane ever in production? it's built in GA, isn't it? Yep, I've seen early C-130J models in for early inspections at Robins AFB... but I believe the aircraft is built just northwest of atlanta.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #13 October 14, 2006 The unit on the C-130 is for ground targets it seems. Boeing has made an airborne laser on a 747 for other purposes: http://boeing.com/defense-space/military/abl/index.html Lots more detailed info is available on aviationnow.com (Aviation Week).People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #14 October 14, 2006 QuoteThe unit on the C-130 is for ground targets it seems.also true... thus the term "Tactical" in the program description... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rapter 0 #15 October 14, 2006 An AirBorne Laser is nothing new, The first test were back in the early 80s with one mounted on a KC-135. Right now, I'm in Wichita working on the newest one. http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_ABL,,00.html http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/abl/ Only the good die young, so I have found immortality, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #16 October 14, 2006 QuoteDoes anyone else find it strangely ironic that our country's military is testing laser weapon technology on this old turboprop aircraft? For CAS loiter time is very important... one of the downsides of replacing the A10 with F16s.. the fast movers are in and gone leaving the ground units without cover while they return.. the A-10 could damn near hover over the engagement area...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #17 October 14, 2006 QuoteDoes anyone else find it strangely ironic that our country's military is testing laser weapon technology on this old turboprop aircraft? So what aircraft do you think would be better? Why don't you call them and give them your expert advice on what they're doing wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #18 October 14, 2006 QuoteQuoteDoes anyone else find it strangely ironic that our country's military is testing laser weapon technology on this old turboprop aircraft? So what aircraft do you think would be better? Why don't you call them and give them your expert advice on what they're doing wrong. since you obviously missed a part of my original post, I'll repost it for you smartipants. QuoteYeah, yeah, I know, the herc is still a formidable platform and all that... still, it makes me chuckle. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #19 October 15, 2006 QuoteQuoteDoes anyone else find it strangely ironic that our country's military is testing laser weapon technology on this old turboprop aircraft? So what aircraft do you think would be better? Why don't you call them and give them your expert advice on what they're doing wrong. oh, oh, can I, can I... I actually know the guys in charge of the program... oh wait... I think its a great platform for the ATL... nevermind... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #20 October 15, 2006 They could be using the C-130 cuz a lot of the development team are skydivers... so at the end of a test run, they can race the create down.. Ramp Down, Green On - Gooooooooo (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Channman 2 #21 October 15, 2006 > My bad, I was thinking "time in service" not "production"... I'm wondering how old NASA's WB57 High Altitute aircraft is. Originally designed by the Brits as a bomber I believe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,595 #22 October 15, 2006 QuoteI'm wondering how old NASA's WB57 High Altitute aircraft is. Originally designed by the Brits as a bomber I believe. You speak of the RAF's English Electric Canberra. It entered service as a medium bomber in 1951, and only retired from the RAF reconnaissance service a few months ago. In 1957 it set the height record of over 70,000 feet. I believe that stood until it was taken by either the U-2 or SR-71. Remarkable aircraft.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #23 October 15, 2006 The B57 was an English Electric Canberra (first flew in 1948ish and was retired from the RAF 31-July-2006). There were some based at Wyton when I was there. clicky QuoteThe last three Canberra PR9s still in operational service flew their final RAF sortie today, Monday 31 July 2006, when they left RAF Marham in Norfolk for the last time destined for Kemble airfield in Gloucestershire. . (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #24 October 15, 2006 beat me (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #25 October 16, 2006 QuoteThey could be using the C-130 cuz a lot of the development team are skydivers... so at the end of a test run, they can race the create down.. Ramp Down, Green On - Gooooooooohrm... though that's an interesting theory... I think I was the only skydiver on the DT... I don't know if there is anyone else on it now though... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
