Game changer: U.S. Air Force fighters, drones, to fire lasers by early 2020s

Great Power War ^ | 12/3/18 | USA Features

[SleeperCatcher]

The U.S. military has been working to develop laser weapon technology in earnest since the 1990s, initially as a missile defense technology. And while that application certainly remains an objective of laser weapon design, the Pentagon has begun exploring new uses for the technology as advances are made.

Hypersonic technology is a game-changing technology for ballistic missiles, but speed-of-light laser weaponry would negate hypersonics. If U.S. Air Force developers can miniaturize power production to the point where lasers on fighter planes become lethal enough to use in combat, their potential is substantial.

For one, fighters would never ‘run out of ammunition.’ Currently, fighters can only carry so many air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles; lasers giver fighters the potential to have limitless ammunition to use against air and ground targets. Also, a laser-equipped fighter could fire several hundred shots on a single gallon of jet fuel.

[Snickering Hound]

Combat lasers aboard aircraft will likely be powered by small fuel cartridges.

Won't be jet fuel though, you need something that burns faster and puts out a lot more power.

[windowdude]

Once it’s locked on target...speed of light. Not much of a chance of misses.