high-energy laser Archives

U.S. Coast Guard Crew members assigned to Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) man their battle stations as the cutter prepares for a live-fire exercise while transiting the South China Sea, June 6, 2026. The Coast Guard Expeditionary Cutter Squadron is a deployable force of Fast Response Cutters with organic command, logistics and support capabilities, enabling sustained forward operations from partner nation locations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dakota L. David)

Coast Guard issues RFI as it considers arming vessels with high-energy lasers

Primary “targets of interest” that the service might want to zap include aerial and maritime drones.

Jul 20, 2026 By Jon Harper

Pentagon awards deals for laser weapons that could shoot down drone swarms

Defense officials have long-touted the benefits of directed energy systems such as their high-speed engagement, low cost-per-shot and deep magazines.

Jul 9, 2026 By Jon Harper

Anthony Kavanaugh, left, a drone operator with a U.S. Army Unmanned Aerial Systems Mission Assurance team, operates a small-UAS while Ari Snipes, right, a drone operator with a U.S. Army UASMA team, prepares a s-UAS at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., April 23, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

Pentagon counter-drone task force announces pilot program to get directed energy systems to 5 installations

"There is no 'silver bullet' to address this challenge," said the task force director. "And this pilot program integrates cutting-edge technology into the department's broader counter-drone toolkit."

May 8, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Navy planning to spend more than $17B on first Trump-class battleship

The Navy revealed new details Tuesday about its procurement plans for a new Guided Missile Battleship (BBG(X)) program.

Apr 21, 2026 By Jon Harper

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Aguilar, members of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and the Federal Aviation Administration, and key leaders from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., support a high-energy laser test using the AMP-HEL system March 7, 2026. (Courtesy Photo)

Pentagon, FAA sign safety agreement over counter-drone laser

“Following a thorough, data-informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

Apr 13, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Inside a ‘first of its kind’ counter-drone laser test in the American desert

JIATF 401 and the FAA, along with about half a dozen other agencies, conducted the test between March 7-8, an evaluation fast-tracked by back-to-back incidents involving counter-drone…

Mar 16, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A view of the entrance of White Sands Missile Range where Trinity test site is located, near White Sands, New Mexico on February 21, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon, FAA to test counter-drone laser weapon in New Mexico

The announcement comes after lawmakers from both parties criticized interagency coordination over the use of domestic counter-drone technology in the wake of back-to-back incidents in Texas last…

Mar 6, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence