War Department Expands Use Of High-Energy Laser And Microwave Capabilities

What happened: The Department of War selected four directed-energy systems, lasers from Boeing, Kord, and AeroVironment and a microwave system from Epirus, for a counter-drone pilot by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, per an Oct. 5 statement. Key numbers: Oct. 5 statement. Aug. 13 symposium remarks. Sept. 30 address. Oct. 2 memo. Why it matters: Officials said bases lack sensors and decision speed against drone swarms, and Hegseth called small unmanned systems the defining threat, directing the department to remove barriers slowing counter-drone capabilities.

The Department of War selected four directed-energy systems, lasers from Boeing, Kord, and AeroVironment and a microwave system from Epirus, for a counter-drone pilot by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, per an Oct. 5 statement.

Officials said bases lack sensors and decision speed against drone swarms, and Hegseth called small unmanned systems the defining threat, directing the department to remove barriers slowing counter-drone capabilities.