directed energy Archives

Navy Secretary Del Toro wants to accelerate funding for directed energy weapons

The SECNAV told reporters that he’s looking to boost investments in high-powered lasers.

Jan 10, 2024 By Jon Harper

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

Navy SWO boss frustrated by shortage of directed energy weapons

U.S. Navy forces in the Red Sea are trying to defeat kamikaze drones and missile attacks.

Jan 9, 2024 By Jon Harper

US Army may look to procure Israel’s Iron Beam laser weapon for air defense

The Army's acquisition chief said he was "pleased" that funding to support development of Israel's Iron Dome system was included in a recent supplemental request to Congress.

Nov 8, 2023 By Jon Harper

Leonidas high-power microwave system (Image courtesy of Epirus)

Army receives first Epirus-built drone zapper prototype

High-power microwaves are considered particularly advantageous for defeating drone swarms and small UAS such as quadcopters.

Nov 1, 2023 By Jon Harper

US President Joe Biden (L) listens to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he joins a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

White House requesting funding for Israeli laser weapon, other military assistance

The 100-kilowatt laser is designed to intercept a wide range of threats such as rockets, artillery, mortars and drones.

Oct 20, 2023 By Jon Harper

Phantom system in transportation configuration within ruggedized enclosure. (Northrop Grumman photo)

US government gets new miniaturized laser weapon

Northrop Grumman has delivered a 10-kilowatt system named Phantom that the company says is about the size of a mini fridge.

Aug 24, 2023 By Jon Harper

JCO to host counter-drone swarm technology demo in pursuit of new capabilities

Plans for the gathering come as the U.S. military, Ukraine and other forces have come under attack by groups of unmanned aerial systems. And the Pentagon is…

Aug 8, 2023 By Jon Harper

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kevin Holdaway (left) and Cpl. Seth Silveira, low-altitude air-defense gunners with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), send an electronic signal to jam a drone with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or L-MADIS, at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Oct. 18, 2022. The L-MADIS is an electronic-attack system that counters unmanned-aircraft system by nonkinetic capabilities to destroy or negate aerial threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba)

With RFP on the way, Marines are eyeing a variety of ‘non-kinetic’ counter-drone weapons

A request for proposals for MADIS Increment 1, Block 2 is tentatively scheduled to be released in late fourth quarter fiscal 2023 or early first quarter fiscal…

Jul 10, 2023 By Jon Harper

Vice Adm. Jon Hill testifies at a House Armed Services Committee hearing March 12, 2020.

MDA director considering new directed energy, electronic warfare capabilities for future missile defense

Vice Adm. Jon Hill mentioned directed energy technologies like high-power continuous wave lasers, a pulsed laser or high-powered microwaves as options the MDA could explore.

Mar 24, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Army awards $66M contract to Epirus for microwave weapon that can zap enemy drones

The Leonidas system will support the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave Program.

Jan 23, 2023 By Jon Harper