The US Army is putting laser weapons to work, and officials say the safety rules are simple: don't look down the barrel
The US Army is increasingly deploying directed-energy laser weapons, particularly for drone defense at the southern border. Officials emphasize that safety protocols are straightforward, requiring soldiers to avoid looking directly into the laser beam.
Why it matters
As laser technology becomes a standard component of modern military arsenals, establishing clear safety and operational guidelines is critical for troop protection.
Directed-energy weapons have seen recent use at the US southern border. US Department of Defense photo by Spc. Adrianna Douglas US Army officials say laser weapons require surprisingly little protective gear. Troops should stay at least 10 feet from targets and never look into the laser. The Army wants lasers that work on different vehicles and can be learned in minutes. US Army officials say the safety protocols for soldiers using lasers are surprisingly simple: don't stand too close to the target and don't look into the weapon. Directed-energy weapons are seeing more operational use, particularly at the US southern border, where the Army has employed them against cartel-linked drones. The service envisions these systems operating on different vehicles and being easy for soldiers to learn and use safely.
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