Article

2022-07-12 Science & Technology

First Laser Weapon For A Fighter Delivered To The US Air Force

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by DarthVader 2022-07-12 09:48|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 I can see replacing a spooky gunship's weapons with lasers so you could blast things silently with no evidence, but on a fighter it seems daft. You would need to keep the laser on target forever in fighter jet time.

Posted by ruprecht 2022-07-12 13:04|| 2022-07-12 13:04|| Front Page Top

#2 and possibly other targets too

Autonomous gymbal steering won't work.
Laser on a jet is for slow arc LEO satellites.
Ground armor? Fire and forget smart missiles.

Posted by Skidmark 2022-07-12 13:46|| 2022-07-12 13:46|| Front Page Top

#3 You would need to keep the laser on target forever in fighter jet time.

Maybe. They already have autolock systems for targeting lasers and to take down missiles and mortar shells. How long would it take to drill through the aluminum skin and start cutting engine fan blades off? That is the interesting question.

Posted by DarthVader 2022-07-12 15:31|| 2022-07-12 15:31|| Front Page Top

23:47 trailing wife
23:43 Sgt.D.T.
23:36 Raj
23:28 trailing wife
23:27 trailing wife
23:24 Woodrow
23:22 trailing wife
23:19 Woodrow
22:47 Palmerston
22:07 trailing wife
22:02 Lowspark
21:39 Aca Joe
21:35 Lowspark
21:27 trailing wife
21:23 trailing wife
21:22 Aca Joe
21:19 trailing wife
21:11 Raj
21:03 trailing wife
20:59 Aca Joe
20:51 CrazyFool
20:49 Raj
20:38 Chris
20:37 Chris