The United States may install laser weapons on fighter jets.

The Pentagon has signed a contract with the American company Lockheed Martin to develop laser weapons for the US F-15 fighter jet by 2021, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The US could install laser weapons on fighter jets. (Weapons)

According to the article, under a $26 million contract, the company must supply weapons for fighter jets capable of shooting down missiles and drones from a distance of 1,609 km.

At the same time, the US Department of Defense plans to receive laser weapons with a power output of approximately 50 kilowatts, five times greater than the largest industrial lasers currently available.

The Pentagon hopes that in the future the power of lasers on fighter jets can increase to 100-150 kilowatts.

The U.S. military has previously conducted tests of laser weapons mounted on warships or land vehicles, but installing such weapons on fighter jets would be a breakthrough in defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, this technology is significantly more cost-effective than multiple-warhead missiles.

According to Sputnik