Articles tagged with "directed-energy-weapons"
Powerful laser aboard US Navy warship destroys drones in sea trial
The US Navy has made significant progress in deploying ship-based laser weapons, demonstrated by a 2025 sea trial where the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble used Lockheed Martin’s High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system to successfully shoot down four drones. This marked a major advancement from earlier tests that targeted only single drones. The demonstration highlights the Navy’s focus on laser weapons as a cost-effective, sustainable defense against increasingly sophisticated drone threats, preserving expensive missile stockpiles for more advanced attacks. HELIOS, a 60-kilowatt-class laser equipped with an optical dazzler, has been operational on USS Preble since 2022, with other destroyers carrying lower-powered lasers primarily for sensor disruption. Laser weapons offer critical advantages over traditional missile and gun systems, including virtually unlimited firing capacity constrained only by power and cooling availability, and significantly lower per-shot costs compared to missiles like the $1 million RIM-116. These benefits
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-technologymilitary-defensedronesLockheed-Martinnaval-technologyExplaining the sonic weapon claims tied to the US raid in Venezuela
The article addresses widespread claims circulating on social media that U.S. special forces used a mysterious “sonic weapon” to incapacitate Venezuelan security forces during the raid that led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture. These claims stem from a viral video interview with an unidentified Venezuelan guard who described severe physical symptoms—such as bleeding, disorientation, and vomiting—allegedly caused by an intense sound-like effect. The rumor gained further attention after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the interview. However, no independent verification or official confirmation from the Pentagon or U.S. Southern Command has emerged, and both declined to comment beyond standard operational security statements. The article reviews known U.S. research into non-lethal technologies, including the Active Denial System (ADS), a millimeter-wave “pain ray,” and Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), which emit loud, focused sound. Neither system aligns well with the symptoms described by the Venezuelan guard. Another experimental technology, Electrom
energydirected-energy-weaponssonic-weaponsnon-lethal-technologyActive-Denial-SystemLong-Range-Acoustic-Deviceselectromagnetic-weaponsThe Future of War Was Built in 2025 — Here’s What You Missed
The article highlights how 2025 marked a transformative year in military strategy and technology, emphasizing that modern warfare extends far beyond individual weapons to encompass entire systems of production, logistics, and software-driven adaptability. Key examples include the U.S. Navy’s reintroduction of the USS Utah as a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, reflecting a shift from traditional naval power based on visibility and mass to stealth, advanced sensors, and precision strikes. Concurrently, investments in Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines underscore the continued importance of stealthy deterrence platforms. Beyond platforms, 2025 revealed a growing focus on industrial geography and rapid reinforcement capabilities, exemplified by efforts to develop Subic Bay as a forward shipbuilding and logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific. Technological advances such as high-power microwave weapons to counter drone swarms, robotic ground systems integrated with soldiers, and enhanced sensors challenging conventional stealth illustrate a battlefield increasingly dominated by software and electromagnetic warfare. Airpower is evolving in two directions—toward autonomous,
robotenergymaterialssensorsdirected-energy-weaponsmilitary-technologyautonomous-systemsIron Beam: Israel’s Laser Weapon That Shoots Down Rockets & Drones
Iron Beam is Israel’s newly operational high-energy laser defense system, introduced in late 2025 as a complement to the existing Iron Dome missile defense. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Beam targets short-range threats such as rockets, mortar rounds, and small drones, which are difficult and costly to intercept with traditional missiles. Instead of firing physical interceptors, Iron Beam uses a laser to rapidly heat and destroy targets, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution that can engage threats continuously as long as power is available. The strategic significance of Iron Beam lies in its operational advantages: it eliminates the need for missile reloads and stockpile management during prolonged conflicts, operates at the speed of light, and reduces collateral damage by minimizing debris from interceptions. It integrates seamlessly with Israel’s existing radar and command systems, enabling coordinated defense by assigning threats to the most suitable interceptor. While it does not replace missile defenses due to limitations like weather and range, Iron Beam serves as the innermost layer of Israel’s air
energylaser-weaponsdefense-technologyhigh-energy-lasersmissile-defensedirected-energy-weaponsmilitary-technologyPhotos: US Army gets mobile truck-mounted laser to kill multiple drones at just $3
AeroVironment has delivered two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)-mounted LOCUST Laser Weapon Systems to the US Army as part of the Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort. These 20kW-class laser systems feature a larger beam director than previous Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) variants, enhancing their lethality against aerial threats such as drones. The cost to engage a single target with the laser is estimated at just $3, highlighting the system’s cost-effectiveness. The LOCUST systems have been operationally deployed for over three years outside the US, demonstrating high mission success and reliability in real-world threat environments. The LOCUST laser weapons are designed to be platform-agnostic, allowing integration on various vehicles including the JLTV, ISV, and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, as well as fixed-site base defense installations. This flexibility enables rapid deployment and compatibility with existing Army command-and-control architectures. AeroVironment emphasizes that directed energy weapons
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-weapon-systemsmilitary-technologyunmanned-aerial-systemshigh-energy-lasersdefense-technologyJapan moves to counter China with first sea trial of 100-kW laser
Japan has initiated live sea trials of a 100-kilowatt-class laser weapon system aboard the Maritime Self-Defense Force test ship Asuka, marking a significant advancement in its directed-energy defense capabilities. Developed by the Defense Ministry’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), the laser system is designed to intercept drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mortar rounds. The weapon combines ten domestically produced 10-kilowatt fiber lasers into a unified beam exceeding 100 kilowatts and is housed in two container-sized modules equipped with beam control optics, power management, and cooling systems. Unlike missile interceptors, the laser relies solely on electrical power, offering an “unlimited magazine” and significantly lower cost per shot, making it particularly effective against large numbers of inexpensive aerial threats. The sea trials aim to evaluate the system’s ability to detect, track, and engage fast-moving targets from a moving ship, using sensors such as thermal imagers and precision tracking equipment to maintain beam lock despite environmental
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-technologymaritime-defensefiber-lasersmilitary-technologyJapan-defenseUS firm develops high capacity battery for next-gen laser weapons
KULR Technology, a US-based company, has developed a next-generation 400V rugged battery prototype designed to power high-power laser weapons, particularly for counter-drone (Counter-UAS) applications. The Houston firm completed the prototype in just five weeks using in-house testing and advanced engineering methodologies, including model-based electrical and thermal simulations, proprietary cell selection, and a design-for-safety architecture. The battery is engineered to withstand harsh operational conditions and meet the rigorous MIL-STD-810H military standards. Production is planned to begin in 2026 as part of an expansion of KULR’s defense-focused KULR ONE Guardian (K1G) platform. The development comes amid a rising global demand for counter-drone systems, as drones have become a significant threat in modern warfare for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strikes. The directed energy weapons market is projected to grow from $7.9 billion to nearly $40 billion over the next decade, driven by increased defense budgets and modernization efforts
energybattery-technologydirected-energy-weaponsdefense-technologylaser-weaponsdrone-countermeasureshigh-capacity-batteriesHypersonic warships, subs at US’ Pearl Harbor to counter China threat
The U.S. Navy is undertaking a significant modernization initiative by repositioning advanced warships and submarines to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to counter China’s expanding military influence in the Pacific. By 2030, Pearl Harbor will become the home base for the Navy’s first hypersonic-armed surface and undersea fleet, featuring ships equipped with the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon—the Navy’s first sea-launched hypersonic missile. This strategic move aims to reduce response times to potential conflicts near Taiwan and the South China Sea, enhancing deterrence and rapid power projection in a highly volatile region. Infrastructure upgrades at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam are underway to support these advanced platforms, including three Zumwalt-class destroyers and several Virginia-class submarines armed with CPS missiles. The Zumwalt-class destroyers, originally designed for stealth and shore bombardment, have been repurposed as hypersonic strike platforms due to their advanced hull design, composite structures, and substantial
energyhypersonic-weaponsnaval-technologymilitary-modernizationadvanced-materialsdirected-energy-weaponselectrical-systemsIron Beam air defense explained: The laser that strengthens Iron Dome
The article explains how Israel’s Iron Beam laser defense system complements the existing Iron Dome missile interceptor system, potentially transforming air defense economics and capabilities. Iron Dome uses radar to detect incoming threats, a control center to assess their trajectories, and launches Tamir interceptor missiles to neutralize only those projectiles threatening protected areas. While effective at ranges of 4 to 70 km and combat-proven, Iron Dome’s interceptors are costly—around $40,000 each, with total engagement costs exceeding $100,000—and limited by missile inventory and reload logistics. Iron Beam, developed by Rafael and Elbit Systems and nearing operational deployment as of September 2025, employs directed laser energy to disable threats at shorter ranges (up to about 10 km). Its “ammunition” is electricity, making the marginal cost per shot extremely low, just a few dollars, and allowing rapid successive engagements limited mainly by power and cooling capacity. Variants include mobile and fixed-site versions with power levels ranging from about
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-technologymissile-defenseIron-DomeIron-Beammilitary-technologyChina claims its new naval laser outperforms powerful US Helios for drone defense
China has unveiled the Liaoyuan-1 (LY-1) naval laser weapon system, claiming it surpasses the capabilities of comparable U.S. systems like the Helios laser deployed on the USS Preble. According to a Chinese military magazine, the LY-1 is designed as a last line of defense on ships, tasked with close interception of incoming missiles and drones. The system reportedly features a power output between 180 and 250 kilowatts, significantly higher than the U.S. Helios system’s 60-plus kilowatts, and possesses a lens aperture roughly twice as large, along with more advanced auxiliary equipment. The Chinese publication also suggests the LY-1 can be upgraded with additional power units and highlights its low operational cost and potential effectiveness against anti-ship missiles. Globally, laser weapons are increasingly seen as vital assets for countering aerial threats, with countries including the U.S., U.K., China, and India actively developing and testing such technologies. The U.S.
energylaser-weaponsmilitary-technologydrone-defensenaval-defense-systemsChina-militarydirected-energy-weaponsWorld's First Laser Weapon
The article introduces the Apollo, the world’s first operational laser weapon with a power output of 100 kilowatts. Designed primarily for defense against drone swarms, the Apollo can reportedly neutralize up to 50 drones per minute. This capability marks a significant advancement in directed-energy weapons, offering rapid, precise, and cost-effective countermeasures compared to traditional projectile-based systems. The Apollo’s deployment signals a transformative shift in modern warfare, emphasizing the growing role of laser technology in military defense. Its ability to engage multiple targets quickly could redefine battlefield strategies, particularly in countering unmanned aerial threats. However, the article does not provide detailed technical specifications or discuss potential limitations, leaving some aspects of its operational effectiveness and broader implications for future combat scenarios unclear.
robotenergylaser-weapondefense-technologymilitary-technologydirected-energy-weapons‘World’s cheapest shot’ laser zaps 50 drones a minute with 150kW beam
Electro Optic Systems (EOS), an Australian technology company, has unveiled "Apollo," a scalable high-energy laser weapon system designed to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS), particularly small to medium-sized drones used for surveillance and attacks. The system, capable of delivering up to 150 kW of power, can destroy 20 to 50 drones per minute with rapid retargeting enabled by a high slew rate (less than 1.5 seconds for a 60-degree shift). Apollo operates continuously when connected to an external power source and can perform over 200 stored engagements when isolated. Packaged within a 20-foot ISO container for mobility and rapid deployment, it supports 360-degree coverage and can engage drones at ranges from 50 meters to 3 kilometers, while also disrupting sensors on larger drones up to 15 kilometers away. EOS emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of Apollo compared to traditional missile defenses, highlighting that laser shots cost significantly less than missiles priced around $200,000 each
energyhigh-energy-laserdrone-defensedirected-energy-weaponsunmanned-aerial-systemsmilitary-technologylaser-weapon-systemsHigh-energy laser systems that engage with threats delivered to US Army
AeroVironment, a Virginia-based company, has delivered two prototype units of its 20kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) to the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). These Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) systems, integrated onto General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs), are designed to identify, track, and engage a variety of threats, particularly countering unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). The prototypes underwent rigorous government acceptance testing at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, to validate their performance, mobility, safety, and lethality, followed by soldier training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with feedback guiding ongoing enhancements. The AMP-HEL program represents a significant advancement in mobile, frontline directed energy capabilities, supporting the Army’s broader modernization efforts to rapidly field scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions. AeroVironment emphasized its commitment to full-scale manufacturing of LOC
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-weapon-systemsmilitary-technologyhigh-energy-laserscounter-UASdefense-technologyChina's Victory Day parade showcases missiles, jets and military power
China’s Victory Day parade on September 3, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and serves as a highly choreographed demonstration of China’s expanding military capabilities. The 70-minute event in Beijing will feature over 45 formations and around 100 domestically produced military systems, including hypersonic missiles, electronic warfare platforms, counter-drone technology, directed-energy weapons, and the debut of a new unmanned sea drone. The parade also includes a traditional military review and a march-past of top military leaders, with 26 foreign dignitaries in attendance. A highlight will be the official commissioning of China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, alongside the first public static display of the stealth Chengdu J-20 fighter jet, signaling China’s growing confidence and openness about its advanced military technology. Beyond the spectacle, the parade sends a clear message to global rivals that China is prepared to fight and win future conflicts. This demonstration of power comes
military-technologyhypersonic-missilesdirected-energy-weaponsunmanned-sea-droneselectronic-warfaredefense-systemsPLA-equipmentChina’s massive military parade to debut hypersonic, nuke missiles
China is set to hold a massive military parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War II. The 70-minute event, the largest parade in China’s history, will feature over 100 domestically produced active-duty military systems, including new strategic missiles, hypersonic weapons, unmanned systems, and advanced electronic and directed-energy warfare equipment. The parade will be conducted in two stages—a review and a march-past—with 45 formations showcasing joint operational groups that reflect real-world combat roles across land, maritime, air, missile defense, information operations, and logistics. A key highlight will be the public debut of several new hypersonic cruise missiles, notably the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20. These missiles represent a significant expansion of the People’s Liberation Army’s strike capabilities, particularly for maritime operations. The YJ-17 and Y
robotunmanned-systemshypersonic-missilesmilitary-technologydirected-energy-weaponselectronic-warfaredefense-systemsConspiracy Theories About the Texas Floods Lead to Death Threats
The article details how conspiracy theories surrounding the recent devastating floods in Texas have incited dangerous actions and threats. Michael Meyer, founder of the anti-government extremist group Veterans on Patrol, claimed on Telegram that the floods were caused by a "weather weapon" targeting Texas, leading to escalated efforts to "eliminate this military treason." Shortly after, an unidentified man damaged the NextGen Live Radar system operated by News 9 in Oklahoma City, disrupting weather monitoring capabilities. Meyer indicated this attack was part of "Operation Lone Wolf," encouraging others to target weather radar and satellite systems to undermine mainstream media, which he accused of lying to the public. These events occur amid a widespread disinformation campaign involving extremist figures, right-wing influencers, and some GOP lawmakers who promoted the debunked theory that the Texas floods were artificially induced through directed energy weapons or cloud seeding, rather than by natural heavy rainfall. This misinformation has led to over 100 confirmed deaths from the flooding, threats against individuals and companies like cloud
energyIoTradar-systemsweather-technologydirected-energy-weaponscloud-seedingNOAAUS Army develops 50kW laser-mounted tank to zap drones 5 miles away
The US Army has successfully demonstrated a 50-kilowatt (kW) class solid-state laser mounted on a Stryker A1 8×8 armored vehicle, known as the DE M-SHORAD “Guardian” system, during a live-fire exercise at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. This Directed Energy Maneuver-Short-Range Air Defense system integrates high-energy laser technology with traditional kinetic air-defense assets to counter aerial threats such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), rotary-wing aircraft, and incoming rockets or artillery shells. The laser’s precision thermal effects, guided by advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors and Ku-band radar, enable autonomous target tracking and rapid engagement up to five miles away, marking the Army’s first operational deployment of a mobile high-energy laser weapon. The exercise, led by the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), focused on integrating the laser system into existing
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-technologymilitary-technologyunmanned-aerial-systemsbattery-technologydefense-systemsSecret SONGBOW: World-first 400kW laser from US to fry drones in blink
The US Navy has initiated the highly classified SONGBOW program to develop a groundbreaking 400-kilowatt laser weapon system capable of destroying drones, missiles, and other aerial threats mid-air. The Department of Defense awarded a $29.9 million contract to Coherent Aerospace & Defense to design, integrate, and test this advanced directed-energy subsystem for deployment on naval vessels and potentially land platforms. The system will combine multiple 50-kilowatt laser modules into a single, high-powered beam with precision beam control, enabling higher power output without sacrificing accuracy or beam quality. This represents a significant advancement compared to existing naval laser systems, which typically operate between 30 and 100 kilowatts. The SONGBOW laser aims to enhance the Navy’s layered defense strategy by providing a rapid, cost-effective response to evolving threats such as drone swarms and hypersonic missiles, which can overwhelm traditional missile defenses like the Aegis Combat System. Coherent Aerospace & Defense, experienced in high-energy lasers and
energydirected-energy-weaponslaser-technologymilitary-technologydefense-systemshigh-power-lasersfiber-lasers