World’s cheapest military laser can take out 200 drones with one shot

Australian defense firm Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has introduced Apollo, the world’s most affordable high-energy military laser weapon, rated at 150 kW. Apollo can destroy up to 200 drones in a single charge without ammunition or external power, neutralizing drones up to 3 kilometers away and disabling optical sensors from as far as 15 kilometers. The mobile, modular system fits inside a standard 20-foot container and can operate autonomously on internal battery power for over 200 engagements, offering full 360-degree coverage against small to medium drones commonly used for surveillance. Designed specifically to counter increasingly prevalent drone swarm tactics that challenge conventional air defenses, Apollo uses directed energy to rapidly disable or destroy aerial targets at the speed of light, reducing logistical costs associated with missiles or bullets. Its ITAR-free status allows Australia and allied nations to deploy and localize the system without U.S. export restrictions, accelerating access to advanced laser defense technology. Apollo can function standalone or integrate with NATO command-and-control and