NC-130H "Laser Herc"

According to February’s issue of Air Forces Monthly, Boeing Missile Defense Systems has installed a high-energy chemical laser aboard an NC-130H serial number 65-0979 as part of the Advanced Tactical Laser/Advacned Concept Technology Demonstration programme.

These are direct quotes from the article;

“The project is being conducted to evaluate a high-energy laser gunship capability on the C-130 to support Special Operations missions. The laser, including its subsystem, a 12,000lb (5,443kg) integrated laser module, was moved into place aboard the aircraft and aligned with the previously-installed beam control system, which will direct beam control to its target. Installation was completed on December 4 at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.”

Apparently this aircraft is part of the 40th Flight Test Squadron of Air Force Material Command which has been assigned to the 46th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida. The picture of the NC-130H shown in Air Forces Monthly is your standard C-130H in standard low-visibility grey paint. It has a modified nose, more pointy and slender than the normal blunt looking C-130 face and has a 360 degree white “laser turret” that looks like an over-sized E/O pod. I can’t find any pictures on the net of this aircraft, but when I typed in the serial number on the web, it says this aircraft used to be a DC-130H and was later retired? There is another “Laser Herc” out there that I don’t know much about, it is designated NC-130″A” here is the picture of that, but remember, the NC-130H looks much different. [ATTACH]160710[/ATTACH]
If anyone has more information on either aircraft, I would love to hear from ya!