U.S. Army Advances Modular High-Energy Laser Weapons for All Vehicle Types
- Published
- Source
- TheWarZone
The U.S. Army is actively developing a family of modular and scalable laser directed energy weapons, known as the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, which can be mounted on any vehicle in its inventory. This initiative aims to enhance operational capabilities, particularly in countering drone threats, and is part of a broader strategy to integrate high-energy lasers across various military formations.
The Army's focus on versatile deployment is underscored by Brig. Gen. Guy Yelverton's comments about integrating high-energy lasers into multiple vehicle types, thereby expanding their use beyond dedicated units. The recent contract awarded to AeroVironment for its 30-kilowatt-class LOCUST X3 laser system marks a significant step in this direction, as the Army seeks to overcome previous challenges faced by laser technologies in military applications.
Looking ahead, the Army's plans include potentially fielding other laser systems with higher power ratings through the E-HEL initiative. While the current LOCUST systems are designed specifically for countering small drones, their broader deployment could provide essential layers of defense across various Army units. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Original report
Army Wants High-Energy Laser Weapons It Can Put On “Any Vehicle In The Motorpool”
TheWarZone · Joseph TrevithickThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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