Stealth superwing: Next generation 'Air Dominance' fighter jet ..will have built in laser weapons

www.dailymail.co.uk ^ | 18:20 EST, 14 December 2015 | By Mark Prigg

[Calvin Locke]

You didn't appreciate the Vought V-173.

Yeah, some what lacking in speed and armament.

[Southack]

Our YAL-1A (Airborne Laser) was flying at 40,000 ft firing a megawatt laser at “tens of kilometers” (50) from boost-phase ICBMs circa 2010-2011.

Different from the DANG, a new USA drone (UCAV) uses an electric laser while flying at 65,000 ft firing the same power level at potentially “hundreds of kilometers” away for survivability against air defenses.

A “low-power demonstrator” of the above is planned to fly circa 2021.

[MeganC]

I suspect this fighter won’t be manned or controlled from the ground.

[Patton@Bastogne]

nice ...

[Patton@Bastogne]

is the air density the factor ?

[867V309]

Let’s see if they can get the last generation of stealth fighters to work right first.

They're having to tow our newest destroyer around.

[PA Engineer]

If configured properly, it will be a sub-orbital fighter jet...able to make a brief hop up into Space (for systems cooling and anti-satellite ops)...which would explain why Russia was so anxious for the new Space Weapons ban this year.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Sub-orbital provides air superiority over enemy high altitude craft where there is less atmospheric attenuation. They mentioned multi-armament in the summary. I assume that is to continue the attack if enemy aircraft dip into cloud cover to avoid the lasers.

[Southack]

Yup. YAL-1A showed that we could put useful devices up into higher alts...which is why it was cancelled.

Flying a big COIL laser at 40,000 feet alt is silly (workable, but 50km range, toxic chems, etc.).

Flying an unmanned drone at 65,000 feet while equipped with an electric laser is, in contrast, more appealing.

She’ll be airborne in 2021 or close to it.

[Travis T. OJustice]

Little River Band

[Kickass Conservative]

>>>clearer direction from the Pentagon<<<

Now that there is funny after experiencing the F-35 Boondoggle.

[Patton@Bastogne]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZyG0KJqik

[Travis T. OJustice]

Sometimes I like this one when I’m drunk and bummed out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk

[Red Badger]

LOL!..............

[Red Badger]

I’m thinking the writer meant HYPER-sonic speeds...........

[Red Badger]

I’ve met them!..................

[Red Badger]

Definition:

clearer direction - MORE MONEY.................

[PIF]

Only one more is scheduled - no more money - F35 sucking it all up.

[SZonian]

“Entitlements” are “sucking it all up.”

[PIF]

The mil budgets as I understand only have so much money - and a sizable portion of those services wanting that dud are going toward R&D and purchase - unless of course the plane is an ‘entitlement’.

[Travis T. OJustice]

Good deal!