Laser on the F-35.

Originally posted by devilwasp

Originally posted by ChrisRT
That's true, though, we are just developing bolder lasers to counter the lack of efficiency

Why not spend it on more high tech options, like a better cruise missile or even better more fighters.

I don't know... When lasers finally work out they will be almost costless to use and will be far more versatile... Most of us believe it�s the future. Missiles and bombs can become more efficient but they have their limits, this is being seen today. You can only have a motor that is so efficient before performance is lost. And then there is range. A2A missile have reached their limits. It�s up to the rocket motor designers to try and get more out of the missiles as if you even try to increase the size of the missile to include more fuel you will run into incompatibility problems and lack of agility.
That isn�t to say a fairly large, long ranged, advanced cruise missile won�t be useful.

Ground attacks will still be with missiles and bombs: you can do much more damage.

The purpose of the onboard laser is to improve defense against G2A or A2A missiles, which by their nature have to be small and light.

You would fly one or two laser-equipped JSFs which would fly in close quarters with other
JSFs and say F-117's or F/A-18E's which are carrying the bomb load.

I don't know what the optimal ratio would be but if it can reliably take out enemy missiles it will greatly improve the deployable power of the bombing aircraft. And, of course, pilot morale.

there is only so far you can go with any technology before it reaches its peak. a more advanced cruise missile would be good, yes, but branching off into new technologies like lasers, rail guns and some of the other things the americans are trying right now isnt a bad thing is it?

lasers when they get advanced enough could probably be narrowed down to a rifle or a pistol with power packs for ammunition and they would probably weigh considerably less than an M16 with, say, 10 extra clips. doing new things isnt bad as it makes other people to think in new ways which would help make things more efficient.