Army Expected to Add Counter-Drone Laser Weapons to Base Defenses

Inside America's laser revolution as the military nears big battlefield breakthrough

Laser weapons are nearing battlefield reality as the Army approaches a contract award for its first operational directed energy weapon system designed for drone defense.

US military to add laser weapons to its arsenal

Lasers have long been the stuff of science fiction battles, but are yet to be used in combat after 50 years of testing.

Beavercreek defense team leads $17M Navy high-energy laser development

The Navy program aims to build a 400-kilowatt directed-energy subsystem that can fire indefinitely at a fraction of traditional defense costs. The contractor's local site will be leading the development.

Army expected to add counter-drone laser weapons to base defenses

The Army had previously asked the defense industry to look into the feasibility of producing and fielding 24 of the laser weapons.

Landmark Deal Would Officially Add Laser Weapons to US Army Arsenal

Facing a growing drone threat, the Pentagon is poised to sign a first-of-its-kind contract for “Enduring High Energy Lasers”—and make directed energy weapons an official part of the Army’s kit.

Why is the Pentagon betting big on laser weapons now?

The Pentagon is moving high-energy laser weapons from experimental projects to frontline military deployments through its Enduring High Energy Laser (EHEL) programme. The US Army plans to procure up to 24 EHEL systems, while the US Air Force has deployed Boeing's Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS) in Europe