Military seeking technology breakthroughs in laser weapons for jet fighters and armored combat vehicles
WASHINGTON – Firing lasers from jet fighters while in combat, hitting enemy hypersonic missiles in space, and incinerating enemy drones from armored combat vehicles all are missions intended for fast-emerging, now-in-development laser weapons. Kris Osborn at Warrior Maven reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
30 Oct. 2020 -- The Pentagon and military services are moving quickly to develop newer, stronger, more-mobile laser weapons. Much of this includes laser scaling and size, weight and power (SWaP) improvements to arm jet fighters and even destroy enemy ballistic missiles in space.
Army Scientists and weapons developers are designing lasers strong and durable enough to travel into space. They also are trying to build compact transportable lasers able for fast-moving, jet fighters and transportable infantry devices.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in Huntsville, Ala., is power-scaling lasers for missile defenses. The Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., meanwhile, is miniaturizing strong mobile power systems for jet fighter laser weapons, and the Army is already arming Stryker armored combat vehicles with high-power lasers to defend against enemy unmanned aircraft.
Related: Laser weapons show their stuff in real-world conditions
Related: Laser weapons get ready for the big time
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
