The United States Army, in a groundbreaking move, has deployed prototype laser air defense systems to the Middle East, marking the first time the Department of Defense has acknowledged the use of such weapons in combat.
The systems in question, such as the P-HEL (Prototype High Energy Laser), have been successfully utilized to neutralize hostile drones—a prevalent threat in modern conflict zones. The P-HEL system, employing BlueHalo’s Locust laser technology, is distinctive for its Xbox gaming controller interface. It emits a 20-kilowatt laser beam capable of incapacitating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by targeting and heating critical components.
Notably, Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo, detailed that the Locust laser has achieved a “significant” number of successful engagements, surpassing the “onesies, twosies” level. The value of such directed energy weapons systems is underscored by their economical operation cost—ranging from $1 to $10 per shot—especially when juxtaposed against the expense of traditional air defense missiles.
This cost-effectiveness is pivotal, given the asymmetry in the price of offensive and defensive military technologies. Recent engagements in the Red Sea have seen U.S. warships expending multimillion-dollar missiles to intercept drones that cost a fraction of that amount. By deploying lasers, the U.S. Army positions itself to address this economic imbalance in warfare.
The stealth nature of laser weapons, being both silent and usually invisible, adds to their tactical advantages. For instance, the cost of the first P-HEL prototypes was reported to be $8 million each, and vehicle-mounted 50-KW DE M-SHORAD systems have reached $73 million.
The practicality of lasers in combat does face environmental limitations, as their effectiveness can be reduced by weather conditions like sandstorms, rain, fog, and smoke. Moreover, there are questions about their ability to contend with swarms of drones, given the need for lasers to maintain focus on a target for several seconds to achieve a successful intercept.
Even so, the Army’s acquisitions head Doug Bush remains optimistic, emphasizing the potential for reduced costs in the future and the role of lasers as a component of a multi-layered counter-UAS strategy.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is funding more ambitious directed energy initiatives, including 300-KW systems that could defend against larger and faster threats like cruise missiles. Directed energy research has received approximately a billion dollars annually since 2020.
Relevant articles:
– U.S. Military Is Using Laser Weapons In Battle, forbes.com, 05/08/2024