Pentagon Tests Laser Systems Against Drone Swarms at Five U.S. Bases
Source Summary
The Pentagon is conducting operational testing of four directed-energy laser systems at five U.S. military bases to counter the expanding threat of drone warfare. The systems selected include AeroVironment's Palletized High-Energy Laser, Boeing's Compact Laser Weapon System, Kord Technologies' Firefly, and Epirus' Leonidas. The initiative reflects military efforts to replace expensive ammunition with electricity-powered alternatives against relatively low-cost drone targets.
Why it matters
The Pentagon's selection of laser systems for operational testing signals a strategic shift in defense procurement toward cost-effective countermeasures against proliferating drone threats.
