Landmark Deal Would Officially Add Laser Weapons to US Army Arsenal
The US Army is preparing to sign a contract to deploy 'Enduring High Energy Laser' weapons to defend bases against drone swarms. This move marks the first large-scale commitment to laser weaponry, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional interceptor missiles.
Why it matters
The shift toward laser defense reflects the changing nature of modern warfare, where low-cost drones have become a significant threat to military assets.
They stuffed a real-life ray gun into a 747 to shoot down ballistic missiles and stuck a laser on top of a Humvee to zap roadside bombs. For more than 50 years, the United States military and its researchers have tried to develop laser weapons. None of them panned out.
But now, the US Army is about to make a working laser weapon an official part of its arsenal. The Pentagon is poised to sign a contract to acquire and rapidly deploy what’s called an Enduring High Energy Laser in and around bases across the world to defend them from drone attacks, according to sources familiar with the matter. The official announcement could come as early as this week. When the deal is signed, it will mark the first time that the US military will have committed to equipping its forces with laser weapons in significant numbers.
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