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Turret allows laser to fire in any direction
New system will allow craft flying near the speed of sound to fire lasers
Has been tested on nearly 60 flight tests conducted in 2014 and 2015
Tests used a converted business jet as a low-cost flying test bed
Lockheed Martin has revealed a radical turret that allows fighter jets to fire laser weapons at near supersonic speeds.
Because enemy aircraft and missiles can come from anywhere, a laser weapon system on a military aircraft will need to be able to fire in any direction.
However, the laws of physics say that a laser only can engage targets in front of an aircraft that is travelling close to the speed of sound – unless atmospheric turbulence can be counteracted.
Lockheed Martin has been secretly testing 'supersonic' laser turret for fighter jets* | Daily Mail Online
New system will allow craft flying near the speed of sound to fire lasers
Has been tested on nearly 60 flight tests conducted in 2014 and 2015
Tests used a converted business jet as a low-cost flying test bed
Lockheed Martin has revealed a radical turret that allows fighter jets to fire laser weapons at near supersonic speeds.
Because enemy aircraft and missiles can come from anywhere, a laser weapon system on a military aircraft will need to be able to fire in any direction.
However, the laws of physics say that a laser only can engage targets in front of an aircraft that is travelling close to the speed of sound – unless atmospheric turbulence can be counteracted.
Lockheed Martin has been secretly testing 'supersonic' laser turret for fighter jets* | Daily Mail Online