# The Dawn of Laser Warfare: US Army Embraces Directed Energy for Drone Defense For over half a century, the concept of laser weapons has largely remained in the realm of science fiction and experimental projects. From **Boeing 747**-mounted 'ray guns' to **Humvee**-fitted lasers, the **United States military** has poured resources into directed-energy systems with limited success. However, a new era is upon us, as the **US Army** is reportedly on the cusp of signing a landmark contract to acquire and deploy an **Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL)** system. This pivotal decision, expected to be announced as early as this week, will mark the first time the US military commits to equipping its forces with laser weapons in substantial numbers. The primary objective: to defend bases worldwide from the escalating threat of drone attacks. ## A Paradigm Shift in Counter-Drone Strategy The ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine have starkly highlighted the vulnerability of traditional air defense systems against the proliferation of cheap, yet deadly, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The economic imbalance of using multi-million dollar **Patriot missiles** to intercept thirty-five thousand dollar Iranian drones has underscored the urgent need for more cost-effective solutions. "For years, lasers were going to be the future, and they never really came to their own. Now, they're actually coming to their own," states **Mark J. Lewis**, former Air Force chief scientist. The key advantage of modern lasers lies in their virtually unlimited ammunition, constrained only by power supply. This eliminates the logistical and financial burdens associated with traditional interceptors, offering a potent defense against drone swarms. ## Current Deployments and Past Challenges The military's renewed focus on directed energy is evident in the half-dozen laser weapons systems currently deployed or under active testing, as reported by the **Laser Wars** newsletter. The **US Navy** has integrated laser "dazzlers" on ships to blind drone sensors, while **US Air Forces in Europe and Africa** have deployed **Boeing's Compact Laser Weapons System (CLWS)** across the theater. Despite this progress, the journey hasn't been without its bumps. Four **Raytheon** air-defense lasers were recalled from the Middle East due to poor performance. More notably, an **AeroVironment** laser system along the southern US border inadvertently shot down a party balloon, leading to a temporary airspace closure around El Paso, Texas, and later, mistakenly downed a **Border Patrol** drone. Ironically, this accidental success helped validate the system's capability to neutralize aerial threats. ## The Path to a Program of Record The urgency to counter mass-produced, low-cost attack drones intensified after a March 1st incident where an Iranian drone killed six US service members and injured thirty others. This propelled the **Pentagon** and **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)** officials to prioritize the safe and effective deployment of laser technology. Following a demonstration at **White Sands, New Mexico**, where the **AeroVironment** laser system proved its efficacy and safe operation in crowded airspace, the Army is now set to finalize a multi-million dollar contract. This deal, potentially encompassing up to 20 systems, aims to acquire compact, powerful lasers capable of neutralizing one-way attack drones like the **Shahed-136**. Crucially, the **E-HEL** will become an operational "program of record" – a formal endorsement that signifies its inclusion in the Pentagon's five-year budget and a commitment to widespread adoption. "Program of record indicates a wider cultural acceptance of the new technology as a military capability," explains **Craig Robin**, who previously managed directed energy for the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. This marks a historic first for the Army in the realm of laser weaponry. ## The Science Behind the Beam The fundamental physics of lasers, known for decades, involves exciting atoms to emit photons in a coherent, powerful beam. While various materials, or "gain media," can produce laser light—from a quirky "laser martini" of alcohol and quinine to toxic chemical mixtures—military applications demand efficiency and power. Early attempts, such as the **747**'s chemical laser or the **Humvee**'s synthetic garnet crystal, faced issues of toxicity or insufficient power. Modern military laser-makers have largely converged on "fiber lasers," which utilize bundles of glass wires infused with rare-earth ions. These systems offer superior energy absorption, heat dissipation, and beam focus. Although individual fiber lasers produce only a few kilowatts, they can be bundled together to achieve the weapons-grade power necessary to neutralize small drones.