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RAF fighter jets are to get Star Wars-style ray guns.
Britain’s fleet of F-35 Lightnings could be fitted with laser cannons within six years.
The high-tech weapons are capable of shooting down enemy missiles as well as zapping unmanned drones.
Lasers are seen by defence chiefs as almost perfect weapons because they are quick, accurate – reducing collateral damage – have no recoil and are relatively cheap.
One senior RAF source said: “They are the future and the race is now on to see which country can be first to fit one powerful enough to take out proper targets into a combat aircraft.
“These weapons will revolutionise warfare because lasers travel at the speed of light.”
(Image: Handout)
The source added: “We have the technology and have a few design hurdles to get over but it’s just a matter of time.”
British and American militaries are spending millions developing lasers that can be powered by jet engines.
The US Air Force is hoping to install lasers on fighter jets and AC-130J Ghostrider gunship aircraft.
The UK is also looking at creating a laser-based defence system for its warship fleet.
Lockheed Martin, maker of the F-35 combat jet, has already started testing an airborne laser weapon.
(Image: Reuters)
Last year ex-defence secretary Penny Mordaunt announced Britain was investing £130m in technology to “revolutionise the battlefield”.
And last month Lockheed Martin’s laser expert Mark Stephen said the firm was “working to fly a laser on tactical fighters in the next five years”.
The laser will be fitted to F-16s before being used on 5th generation F-35 fighters.
