Army to Equip New Large Drones with Laser Weapon Capability

WASHINGTON — As global militaries accelerate the search for affordable air defense capabilities, the U.S. Army is planning to equip at least some aircraft in its next-generation large drone fleet with high-energy laser systems, according to an Army official who spoke with Breaking Defense.

The service is preparing to formally launch a competitive acquisition for new Group 4 or 5 unmanned aerial systems—large and very large platforms—designed to replace its current fleet of General Atomics-manufactured Gray Eagle drones. The Army Requirements Oversight Council approved the Capability Development Document outlining requirements and an acquisition strategy in late October, which details plans for short takeoff and landing (STOL) or vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems.

“All unmanned systems are meant to have modular payloads configured to the specific operational environment, threat and mission,” the official stated on condition of anonymity. “Not every Group 4/5 UAS will have it. It will be a theater-specific, add-on payload.” While high-energy laser capability may not appear in formal requirements documentation, the official emphasized it will “absolutely” be a desired capability, potentially supporting the Pentagon’s Golden Dome air defense initiative.

The Army plans to release a Request for Information shortly, with competitors given rapid response timeframes before the formal Request for Proposal and industry day. The new fleet addresses gaps created by the Army’s decision to discontinue Gray Eagle purchases due to survivability concerns.

Developing airborne high-energy lasers has challenged defense engineers for decades due to size, weight, and power constraints on aerial platforms. However, the Pentagon recently designated scaled directed energy as one of six technology priorities, spurring renewed industry momentum.

General Atomics is well-positioned to compete with its STOL Mojave demonstrator. Company spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley stated the platform will be “tested, tweaked, and tested again” before formal solicitation. Regarding laser integration, Brinkley highlighted GA’s ongoing laser projects and collaboration with industry and government partners, emphasizing that defeating enemy systems doesn’t necessarily require destructive force. “You can blind the optics, start fires, melt plastic, disrupt targeting, overheat electronics,” he explained.

Emerging defense startups are also capitalizing on this opportunity. Aurelius Systems is pitching its sub-10-kilowatt Archimedes laser, which the company claims can be integrated onto existing Gray Eagles using outer weapon pylons. The startup recently received $62,000 from the Army’s FUZE initiative and demonstrated the system downing multiple small drones during ground trials in October.

Armed with modular payloads and laser capability, the Army’s next-generation drone fleet represents a significant evolution in unmanned warfare technology, offering commanders flexible, cost-effective air defense solutions.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764770686499-1113