Air Force considers laser weapons to defend B-52 jet bombers

Researchers at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory are working on experimental demonstrator laser weapons able to bolt-on to an aircraft like the B-52 long-range jet bomber. Scientists are working to arm the B-52 with defensive laser weapons able to destroy or disable air-to-air or air-to-ground missile attacks. The five-year Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator program is intended to create sufficient onboard power, optics, and high-energy lasers to defend large military planes like the B-52 bomber, currently undergoing a series of high-tech upgrades.