[risen_feenix]

I imagine that the level of stealth/ profile that they are going for would preclude the need for maneuverability.

Not saying that is the case, nor agreeing with the logic, but I am going to assume their are enough former military pilots on the payroll at Lockheed that this had to have come up.

[risen_feenix]

And o course I mean Northrup, not Lockheed. Lol.

Or do I?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The article points out that, if you have a speed-of-light weapon that can instantly be pointed in any direction, you can yield on top speed and maneuverability.

Laser weapons still have to shoot through a glass lens and have to point at the enemy. You cannot magically have the beam emerge from any point on the aircraft skin.

The Airborne Laser test bed turret was pretty ugly...