Laser Wars

Laser Wars

The Pentagon's Laser Weapon Promise — and the Problem of Keeping It

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants the US defense industrial base to build “tens to hundreds” of directed energy weapons.

Jared Keller's avatar
Jared Keller
May 04, 2026
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A palletized LOCUST Laser Weapon System from defense contractor AV on the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush during a live-fire test in October 2025. (AV)

The US military has a message for America’s directed energy industry: it’s time to build.

In a written posture statement submitted to the House Armed Services Committee ahead…

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