The US military is allocating $500 million to develop laser weapons technology, which has been in development for 50 years. This technology is being deployed in the Strait of Hormuz to target drones and incoming cruise missiles, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional kinetic weapons, according to the Department of War.
Mark Neice, president of Directed Energy Consultants, stated that the military can accurately track and target drones to disable their sensors or destroy them. Laser technology utilizes energy from generators or batteries to create a concentrated beam of light particles, or photons, which can heat and destroy targets.
Jared Keller, who publishes the newsletter Laser Wars, noted that the Army's contract for war-ready lasers represents a significant advancement in military technology. These laser systems are reportedly operated using modified Xbox game controllers, leveraging existing technology for military applications.
The Joint Task Force Southern Border has also been testing laser technology against drones used by drug cartels, successfully downing at least 11 drones. Brent Ziarnick, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, remarked on the effectiveness of this technology in countering cartel threats.
Experts indicate that while the current laser systems are not used against human targets, they have the potential to transform military operations. Ziarnick explained that solid-state lasers have fewer moving parts and could reduce the need for ammunition, significantly altering military logistics.
The deployed laser systems, known as High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS), are large and typically mounted on battleships, focusing a 60-kilowatt laser to destroy objects. Boeing has also introduced the Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS), capable of targeting larger drones weighing up to 1,300 pounds.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth participated in a laser weapons demonstration, successfully using a controller to shoot down a drone with minimal training. However, the technology has limitations, requiring clear skies for effective operation and facing challenges against drone swarms.
Looking ahead, lasers may play a role in the US Space Force, which has confirmed the deployment of active weapons in Earth's orbit. Neice acknowledged the growing momentum in transitioning laser technology from laboratory settings to battlefield applications, suggesting a significant shift in military capabilities.