How the U.S. military is preparing for laser attacks on drones

The U.S. military is developing counter-directed energy weapons (CDEW) to defend against laser attacks on drones, a capability increasingly fielded by adversaries like China and Russia. While the U.S. has invested billions in offensive laser weapon systems, defensive strategies against such attacks have lagged. China is reportedly deploying laser weapons effective up to 25 kilometers, and Russia's Peresvet laser system is believed to be operational. This proliferation necessitates a focus on CDEW, a field currently in its early stages with most research remaining conceptual. A 2023 study from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) provides significant insight into these defensive measures, particularly for naval drones. Drones are considered highly vulnerable due to their expendable nature and lack of armor, making them prime targets for persistent energy delivery weapons. The NPS research, building on a 2020 report, specifically addresses the susceptibility of unmanned aerial vehicles. While the principles of defending against laser weapons extend to manned aircraft, ships, missiles, satellites, and ground vehicles, naval drones represent a particularly acute vulnerability.