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Science & Technology
Lasers Could Be Coming To The F-35
2015-10-13
Advances across a range of fields could enable a sci-fi upgrade to the fighter jet.

The Air Force has recently become more bold in its predictions that a laser could be airborne by 2020. For instance, the Missile Defense Agency recently announced that they were revamping the Airborne Laser Program that was shuttered in 2012. The goal is to fly an airborne laser demonstrator in 2021.

"Everybody thinks you have a tendency to talk about high-powered microwaves and lasers and it's kind of science fiction," Air Combat Command leader Gen. Herbert Carlisle, the leader of Air Combat Command, said at the recent Air Force Association Air and Space Conference. "But this is a reality. I believe that we will have a directed energy capability in a pod that can be mounted on a fighter aircraft very soon."
Posted by:Sven the pelter

#12  Lasers are nifty if you have the power to run them.
Putting a big-ass generator on a ship is easier than on a plane.
Posted by: SteveS   2015-10-13 18:00  

#11  The turkey that cooks itself.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2015-10-13 15:25  

#10  I think the idea was they'd retrofit the electrical generating equipment to the Air Force A model where the lift fan is on the Marine model.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2015-10-13 14:46  

#9  Can't put lasers on the F-22?
Posted by: gorb   2015-10-13 14:33  

#8  still having trouble with the guns, I see.....
Posted by: Shusing Jones6024   2015-10-13 12:57  

#7  I still want my sharks.
Posted by: DarthVader   2015-10-13 10:06  

#6  "...and expels glitter during 'SuperCruise'"
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2015-10-13 09:48  

#5  That's all we need, Air Force pilots with frickin' lasers on their heads!
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839   2015-10-13 08:58  

#4  ALL the bells and whistles.
What color?
Posted by: ed in texas   2015-10-13 08:11  

#3  Oh great now they want lasers.

So the F-35 will be fully operational in 2035?

What about Warp Drive or Tachyon flux drive propulsion.

They can sit around and pull crap out of their butts ad infinitum and maybe this thing will die on its own.

The F-35, the Airplane that ate the Pentagon.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2015-10-13 00:43  

#2  Sending or receiving?
Posted by: Skidmark   2015-10-13 00:25  

#1  But, does it have portholes?
Posted by: newc   2015-10-13 00:05  

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