Development of AC-130J AHEL system

AC-130J gunship airborne high energy laser (AHEL) system is a next generation weapon capable of providing scalable effects in complex targeting environments with low acoustic & kinetic signatures. As a first airborne high energy laser which can be used in actual combat, it will be demonstrated in 2022. First, the application goal and development plan of AHEL system were introduced, and its system architecture and technologies challenge was analyzed. Then its development was reviewed, and its fighting capability was deduced from its system parameters. The analyses show that it leverages a rapid prototyping approach to demonstrate integration of a laser weapon system onto an AC-130J aircraft by utilizing a best of breed approach, and much work has down to mitigate risks identified from prior HEL projects during its development. In the end, technical development trends are given.