Pentagon Deploys Directed-Energy Weapons to Counter Drone Swarms

The Department of Defense has tapped AeroVironment, Boeing, Kord Technologies, and Epirus to deploy their high-energy laser and microwave systems starting in 2026. These units will be stationed at locations including Fort Bliss, Texas, and Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Unlike conventional missiles, these systems generate power for roughly $1 to $10 per engagement, offering a sustainable defense against the growing threat of mass-produced aerial swarms. Brig. Gen. Matt Ross of the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 emphasized that the program aims to integrate these tools into a layered defense architecture rather than relying on high-cost kinetic interceptors.

Technological strategies vary among the selected contractors. Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon System focuses on portability, utilizing existing radar networks to target Group 3 drones with minimal power consumption. Conversely, Epirus’ Leonidas system employs microwave pulses to disable drone electronics, providing a capability to neutralize multiple targets simultaneously. This shift mirrors developments in Ukraine, where localized laser nodes like Sunray and Tryzub are already testing the viability of low-cost, vehicle-mounted defense systems. With $4.15 billion in contracts recently awarded, the Pentagon is moving to prove these systems can endure sustained operational use beyond controlled demonstration environments.