Pentagon selects laser and microwave weapons for drone defense testing

The Pentagon has selected four high-energy laser and microwave weapon systems for operational testing to enhance defense against sophisticated drone threats. The directed-energy pilot program, managed by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, will evaluate AeroVironment’s Palletised High-Energy Laser, Epirus’ Leonidas High-Powered Microwave system, Kord’s Firefly High-Energy Laser, and Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon System.

These technologies offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional missiles. High-energy lasers use concentrated light to damage targets through heat accumulation, while microwave systems use electromagnetic energy to disrupt electronic components. The U.S. Army has committed nearly $500 million to bring this new generation of weapons into production.

In operational settings such as the Strait of Hormuz, some systems reportedly utilize modified Xbox-style controllers to provide operators with a familiar interface for precise targeting. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has previously conducted safety assessments on these systems, determining that high-energy laser demonstrations at the White Sands Missile Range posed minimal risk to the National Airspace System.