US Army Laser Air Defense Weapons Set for Order, Targeting 'Mass Attacks' by Cheap Drones

The U.S. Army is accelerating the development of laser weapons, moving them from long-term research projects toward formal combat capabilities. This shift is driven by the increasing proliferation of low-cost drones on battlefields worldwide, presenting a significant cost challenge for traditional air defense systems that rely on expensive interceptor missiles.

Army acquisition officials are reportedly close to finalizing a contract with AeroVironment for the Persistent High-Energy Laser (E-HEL) system. Lieutenant General Frank Lozano, the Army's top uniformed acquisition officer, indicated that the system has demonstrated "considerable progress and capability" during recent tests at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. If the contract is successfully concluded, it would mark the Army's first high-energy laser weapon program aimed at developing a permanent operational capability.

The advantage of laser systems lies in their ability to repeatedly engage targets without expending individual interceptor missiles. As long as the system has sufficient power and cooling, it can continuously fire. This makes high-energy lasers particularly suitable for addressing threats like swarms of inexpensive drones entering a defensive perimeter. The U.S. Air Force has also reported using small laser weapons to defend against drones in overseas locations, while the Navy continues to test its High Energy Laser Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system on destroyers.

However, laser technology is not a panacea. Experts note that lasers are line-of-sight weapons, limiting their engagement range compared to traditional missiles, which can strike targets beyond the horizon. Furthermore, laser performance can be degraded by factors such as dust, high temperatures, adverse weather conditions, power supply issues, heat dissipation, and beam control. Therefore, even with the E-HEL system becoming operational, lasers are more likely to serve as an additional layer of defense rather than a complete replacement for existing missile interceptors.

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considerable progress and capability