⚡️ What Is Laser Wars?
Laser Wars is a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology.
The mission of Laser Wars is simple: to follow the development and deployment of military laser weapons (and, occasionally, other frontier defense tech) around the world and chronicle how they’re changing modern warfare.
Laser Wars draws its name from the title of a May 2024 article I wrote for WIRED about the US military’s first official deployment of high-energy laser weapons overseas for drone defense.
👨🏻💻 Who Writes Laser Wars?
I’m Jared Keller, a defense technology writer and former managing editor of Military.com and Task & Purpose.
I was previously a contributing editor at Pacific Standard (RIP) and held editorial roles at The Atlantic, Bloomberg, and Al Jazeera America. After spending 15 years as a full-time journalist, I now work in strategic communications.
Since I started covering military affairs nearly a decade ago, I’ve reported on advanced defense tech like powered exoskeletons, jet packs, electromagnetic railguns, and the still-unfolding drone revolution, among other topics.
My reporting on military laser weapons has been cited in The New York Times, Axios, Fast Company, Military Times, Project on Government Oversight, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Stars and Stripes, Task & Purpose, The Telegraph, The War Zone, and WBUR, as well as New York magazine’s Substack for some reason. I’ve also discussed laser weapons on several podcasts, including Meidas Defense, Subject Matter Expert, and BrainFungi.
💻 Why Should I Subscribe?
Free subscribers to Laser Wars receive:
Weekly updates on the latest developments in military laser weapons across land, sea, and air (with infrequent excursions to outer space)
Exclusive reporting you can’t find anywhere else
Regular analysis of directed energy and other next-generation defense tech, from heads-up displays to flying troops and beyond
Occasional features on the history of laser warfare
Access to a subscriber chat
Paid subscribers to Laser Wars receive:
Subscriber-only posts and full access to the archive
A complimentary Laser Wars t-shirt from our store
Undying gratitude (and future perks)
✉️ How Do I Contact You?
Send tips, story ideas, and constructive criticism here:
Welcome to the Laser Wars — hope you survive the experience!
