Pentagon allocates $500 million for combat laser systems

The Pentagon is allocating about $500 million to produce combat laser systems designed to destroy drones and cruise missiles, the New York Post reported.

According to the newspaper, the U.S. military is already using laser weapons in the Strait of Hormuz to intercept aerial targets amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The systems are also being tested along the U.S. southern border as part of efforts to counter drug cartels.

The report said laser-based interception can be significantly cheaper than using conventional air-defence missiles, potentially allowing the U.S. military to reduce its reliance on finite stocks of traditional munitions.

The New York Post noted that modern directed-energy systems remain subject to substantial technical constraints. One example is the 60-kilowatt HELIOS laser, which is primarily deployed aboard warships because of the system’s size and high power requirements.

Some laser installations are reportedly operated using modified Xbox gaming controllers, according to the newspaper.

Experts cited by the publication also point to limitations imposed by atmospheric conditions. Combat lasers require relatively clear weather to operate effectively, while their ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously remains constrained.

The Pentagon has been expanding its investment in directed-energy weapons. In September, the U.S. Army awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million contract for its Enduring-High Energy Laser program, which is intended to field laser systems against groups of unmanned aircraft.

The Defence Department has also been developing the Joint Laser Weapon System, with initial prototypes planned at about 150 kilowatts and later versions expected to reach 300–500 kilowatts for applications including cruise-missile defence.

By Tamilla Hasanova