High Energy Laser on the Joint Strike Fighter a Reality in 2025? : 9781249245285 : 06 Aug 2012 : High energy lasers (HEL) promise speed-of-light engagement, precision effects, and low collateral damage. These characteristics along with a nearly unlimited magazine make HELs attractive for installation on a tactical platform. This paper will consider whether a HEL equipped F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) could be fielded in 2025. To answer this question, three topics will be explored. First, will HELs be sufficiently technically mature to permit installation on a fighter platform? Second, will the key supporting systems, to include power generation and storage, thermal management, and beam conditioning and control, be sufficiently technically mature for installation on a fighter platform? Next, will maturity of the key supporting systems occur in time to support a program to integrate a HEL on the JSF? Finally, are the development schedules and funding for the HEL, key supporting systems