AFSOC leadership tours an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship during its unveiling at Bob Sikes Airport Crestview in 2019. Credit: USAF / Senior Airman Caleb Pavao.

Lockheed Martin has delivered its airborne high energy laser (AHEL) system to the US Air Force (USAF) for testing on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.

The delivery follows the completion of the system’s factory acceptance testing.

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The AHEL will now be prepared to undergo ground testing and flight testing on board the aircraft. It will be integrated with other systems.

Lockheed Martin Advanced Product Solutions vice-president Rick Cordaro said: “Completion of this milestone is a tremendous accomplishment for our customer.

“These mission success milestones are a testament of our partnership with the US Air Force in rapidly achieving important advances in laser weapon system development.

“Our technology is ready for fielding today.”

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Lockheed Martin received a contract in January 2019 to integrate, test, and demonstrate AHEL laser on the AC-130J aircraft.

The company is now on a quick schedule to continue testing this capability.

In July this year, Lockheed Martin won a five-year $12m cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division for AHEL system’s technical services, integration, test, and demonstration.

Primary missions of the AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.

In March 2019, the USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) received the first upgraded Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft.

This upgraded Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider flew its first-ever combat mission in Afghanistan in June the same year.