Tri-Service

Laser-Firing Sixth Generation Fighter Revealed

A vision of a new long-range stealth fighter capable of firing lasers has been teased by an American aerospace defence company.

In an advert for the contractor, computer generated images show the fighter jet along with a possible replacement for the B-2 stealth bomber.

The so called ‘sixth generation fighter’ is rumoured to fly at supersonic speeds but Northrop Grumman haven’t confirmed how fast it can go.

Speed is important but the developers say they’re focusing on range and endurance as the aircraft will probably have to operate from a few bases around the world and carry a lot of weapons.

Boeing, meanwhile, is also developing a concept fighter.

The two-seat, twin-engine, jet doesn’t have a traditional tail and the company claims it can be manned or unmanned depending on the mission.

The Northrop president for aerospace, Tom Vice, admitted they would need to use advanced cooling systems to help with the “enormous heat challenge” of combat lasers.

It’s believed the piloting of the company's jet will be done partly by artificial intelligence alongside a pilot.

Earlier reports had suggested there may not be a human pilot on board.