laser weapons
Coverage of laser weapons in the Nexus archive.
- US military to add laser weapons to its arsenal
The US military is adding laser weapons to its arsenal as drones reshape warfare economics. Lasers offer cost-effective defense against cheap drones, but development challenges include an incident where a test laser shot down a party balloon. The British navy is also nearing deployment of similar weapons.
- The Pentagon is spending big on lasers to shoot down hostile drones and cruise missiles
The Pentagon is investing $86 million initially (with a total program max of $847 million) in laser weapons to counter drones and cruise missiles, partnering with nLIGHT Defense and Lockheed Martin Aculight. The goal is to scale power from 150kW to 300-500kW for effective missile defense, leveraging lower-cost, high-speed laser technology.
- China showcases portable laser weapons for a single soldier to shoot down drones
China showcased portable laser weapons at a defense fair in Beijing, developed by Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology. The Lijian series, designed for single soldiers, uses high-energy lasers to shoot down drones.