what does my ideal weapon platform look like?
A semi stealth aircraft, with a hole through it for spherical coverage, and 18000hp of available power?
It was John Farley who suggested the suitability of replacing the fan with a laser quite some time ago.
The F-35 is not the only option for the laser, the AC-130 and F-15 will come first
Lockheed Launches Laser Production Line; Bets On Fiber Tech « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary