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The US Army is advancing its capabilities with the deployment of its newest laser weapon in the Middle East, signaling a broader shift towards enhanced directed-energy systems to address the increasing challenge of adversary drones.

General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the chief of US Central Command, emphasized the need for continued investment in both “high-powered microwaves” and high-energy lasers during a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing. General Kurilla said, “The bigger concern is if you start talking about swarms, so we need to continue to invest in things like high-powered microwave to be able to counter a drone swarm that is coming at you. I mean, nothing is 100%. And at some point, the law of statistics will come up to you. You have to have layered defense.”

Directed-energy weapons offer a strategic advantage by neutralizing incoming drones and missiles. High-energy lasers focus a narrow beam of energy to destroy threats. At the same time, high-powered microwaves generate electromagnetic interference to disable a broader range of electronics, offering a more comprehensive area defense against complex drone attacks. The Defense Department’s current focus includes over 31 directed-energy projects, with significant investments aimed at enhancing these capabilities to address the evolving threat landscape.

The urgency of deploying directed-energy weapons has been in direct response to the recent increase in low-cost drone attacks against US forces in the Middle East, attributed largely to Iran-backed militias. These attacks have resulted in casualties and highlighted the imminent threat posed by drones.