Nuclear pumped lasers are characterized by high‐threshold neutron fluxes and low gain. This is due primarily to the fact that the fissile gas, which has the largest partial pressure and hence has the largest fraction of fission energy deposited in it, is not the lasing species. The closer the fissile gas can be coupled to the actual lasing process, the more efficient the laser will be. In this paper, a model for a potential new nuclear‐pumped HF laser is presented. Using a235UF6‐H2gas mixture, a peak gain of about 50%/m and a threshold neutron flux of <1014/cm2 s are predicted. Recommendations are made concerning optimum use of the new system.