While some of these weapon and sensor systems like the Electromagnetic Railgun or the Free Electron Laser are at least a decade away, the Laser Weapon System and Air and Missile Defense Radar systems are almost ready for prime time deployment today.

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Ideally, the system can be used as a laser weapon directly against targets that require high precision, or the laser can be used to aim the machine gun where more power is needed.

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Air Force F-15E fighter jets will launch the new weapon, which would find its target either by a laser or satellite guidance system.

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To ensure the weapon hits the target, the system can be guided by GPS, inertially, or by laser designation.

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