Is machine weaponry on fighter jets becoming obsolete? Perhaps—at least the trend has been against them for a long time. That said, they are not going anywhere for a long time yet. In fact, United States Air Force fighter jets have been observed being fired in anger multiple times in 2024. While time will tell if the sixth-generation NGAD fighter (currently being developed) will feature traditional arms, all US fighters in service today have guns (or can be fitted with external pods).