U.S. Air Force hints at laser-weapon usage overseas

Colin Demarest

Illustration of a giant hand preparing to flick a tiny drone — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The U.S. Air Force recently deployed laser weapons to help combat drones overseas, according to an announcement that has flown relatively under the radar.

Why it matters: Employment of directed energy, whether laser or microwave or some combination of the two, is still relatively rare.

That's despite decades of research and billions and billions of dollars spent.

Driving the news: U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa on July 22 said it was using the Compact Laser Weapon System in "locations across the theater" and not in "isolation," but declined to say exactly where, citing "operational security reasons."

Zoom in: The CLWS is made by Boeing, the world's seventh-largest defense contractor by revenue.

A 5-kilowatt version fried Group 3 drones in Saudi Arabia in 2024.

What they're saying: "The modern threat has erased the idea of a safe haven; inexpensive and highly adaptable UAS technology can hold any installation or operating location at risk," Air Force Col. Victoria Habas said in a statement.

What we're watching: Whether the Trump administration's "directed-energy dominance" is flash or substance.

Go deeper: Pentagon leaders observe laser-weapon tests in New Mexico

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U.S. Air Force hints at laser-weapon usage overseas

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