US Accelerates Laser and Microwave Weapons Deployment to Counter Drone Swarms.

The United States is fast-tracking the deployment of directed energy weapons, including lasers and high-powered microwaves, to counter drone threats within the next three years. The move reflects growing urgency to defend U.S. forces against low-cost, high-volume unmanned systems that are reshaping modern warfare.

The U.S. Department of War is accelerating the deployment of directed energy weapons, including lasers and high-powered microwave systems, with a goal of fielding operational capabilities within 36 months to counter the growing threat of hostile drones. Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Dodd said the effort focuses on scalable, cost-effective air defenses capable of handling dense attacks by unmanned aerial systems. The push reflects lessons from recent conflicts, where low-cost drones have overwhelmed traditional defenses and disrupted operations. Pentagon officials see directed energy as a critical solution, offering lower cost per engagement and greater magazine capacity than conventional interceptors.