Air Force Research Lab scientists have proved that chemical lasers can use recycled fuel during a test at Kirtland AFB, NM. A chemical laser was fueled with recycled hydrogen peroxide and chlorine waste from previous laser tests and then successfully fired on high power. Jason Marshall, research chemist and Air Force project officer, said that the fuel recycling process they used “can be continued indefinitely, providing a practical way to fuel laser weapons for the Air Force and other military services without the complexity and cost of periodically supplying new fuel to the battlefield.”
The Air Force has selected both General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril Industries to build its first fleet of semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, based on their YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A drones, respectively.