![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2019\/02\/this-air-force-wants-to-arm-f-35s-with-laser-weapons-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Laser Jets<\/h2>
In 2017, the U.S. Navy revealed<\/a> its the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), which the media referred to as the world’s first active laser weapon — a futuristic turret mounted on a transport vessel.<\/p> Now the U.S. Air Force wants to jump on the trend as well: it wants to equip its fighter jets — including the F-35 — with laser weapons by the early 2020s, The National Interest <\/em>reports<\/a>.<\/p> Earlier this month, the Pentagon released its 2019 Missile Defense Review, a document outlining its strategic plans on how to keep the U.S. safe from enemy missiles. The Review included plans for equipping F-35 fighter jets with lasers<\/a> that could shoot down enemy missiles in mid-air.<\/p> Laser weapon technology is not new to the Air Force. The Air Force Research Lab has been leading the development effort for a number of years from the Kirtland Air Force Base<\/a>. Its focus: “high power electromagnetics, weapons modeling and simulation, and directed energy and electro-optics,” according to the base’s official government website.<\/p> The Research Lab has been conducting test-fires from the ground and is ramping up for upcoming tests that will take place during flight, according to The National Interest<\/em>.<\/p> One major program called Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator<\/a> (SHIELD) is looking to give fighter jets the ability to take down enemy aircraft by heating them up and incinerating them with a powerful on-board laser.<\/p> A major advantage that laser systems could have over conventional weaponry, according to Wired<\/em><\/a>, is the fact that enemy targets could be taken out without completely destroying them or risking civilian lives on the ground below.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>Stealth Assassins: Could the Air Force Arm F-35s with Laser Weapons?<\/a> [The National Interest<\/em>]<\/p> More on the Air Force: The Military Wants to Use F-35s to Shoot Down Nuclear Missiles<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p> The post The Air Force Wants to Arm Fighter Jets With Laser Weapons<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> See original here: Laser Jets In 2017, the U.S. Navy revealed \u00a0its\u00a0the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), which the media referred to as the world\u2019s first active laser weapon\u00a0\u2014 a futuristic turret mounted on a transport vessel. Now the U.S. Continue reading Project SHIELD<\/h2>
Laser Vision<\/h2>
The Air Force Wants to Arm Fighter Jets With Laser Weapons<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"