Blake Hall
In under ten years, science fiction will become a reality.
The Air Force is currently developing laser weaponry that can vaporize incoming missiles and enemy aircraft. This badass technology, called a High Energy Laser (HEL), will be tested on the ground later this year by the Air Force Directed Energy Directorate based in Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. Officials behind the project told Defense Tech that the weaponry will be able to track its targets, melt missiles before they explode and fire thousands of shots with a single gallon of fuel. This stuff is straight out of Star Wars.
Unfortunately for us sci-fi nerds, technology takes time to perfect. The laser beams are currently earthbound for testing, and the first aerial test is scheduled to take place in 2021. As the technology develops, the lasers will be outfitted on larger aircraft such as C-17s for aerial testing and then gradually miniaturized for use on fighter jets such as F-15s, F-16s and F-35s.
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