What Happened
US Military Invests In High Energy Lasers For Drone Defense
The US Pentagon has announced the selection of Lockheed Martin and nLIGHT Defense to lead the development of high-energy lasers for the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) program. The contracts, valued at $86 million with a potential ceiling of $847 million, aim to develop laser systems capable of defending against drones and eventually cruise missiles. According to the Pentagon, initial prototypes will carry 150 kilowatts of power, with future prototypes scaling to 300-500 kW for more robust defense capabilities. The development is part of the Pentagon’s efforts to field laser weapons, also known as directed energy systems, amid increasing threats from low-cost drones and missiles. This announcement was first reported by Breaking Defense.