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The Army has officially begun using high-energy lasers meant to take out enemy drones. 

According to a spokesperson from the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, the 20-kilowatt Palletized High Energy Laser, also known as P-HEL, is now operational in an undisclosed location to support the Army’s missions.

So how does it work?
Laser weapons operate by converting electrical power into a focused stream of photons, capable of burning through various materials, including the carbon fiber bodies of drones.

In a statement to Military.com, An Army spokesman said, “The Army remains committed to testing and integrating cutting-edge technologies such as directed energy to ensure the safety of our soldiers and effectively support the United States’ mission.” 

While specifics on the deployment location remain undisclosed due to operational security, the Pentagon has hinted that such technologies are part of the defensive strategies in place for US forces in the Middle East. The area has seen increased drone and missile threats, particularly with the ongoing conflicts impacting American troops stationed in regions like Iraq and Syria.

Late last year, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder hinted that the P-HEL system could be active in protecting US troops following attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq & Syria. He said, “I don’t want to go into the specific capabilities that we’re using to protect our forces, other than to say we have a wide variety which does include directed-energy capabilities.”