The tradition of using a lumbering C-130 to house the U.S. Air Force's gunships could be a thing of the past. Officials at Air Force Special Operations Command say they are interested in buying Air Combat Command's future bomber platforms for their AC-130H/U replacements. The systems could include exotic directed-energy weapons as well as retractable kinetic systems to ensure the platform is able to maintain low observability during operations.

For insight into the burgeoning requirements for a gunship that will likely be housed on the Air Force's new bomber platform and a look at Air Force Special Operations Command's plans to buy more aircraft, read Aviation Week & Space Technology's July 23 cover story.

Watch a video of gunship engagement in Afghanistan.