The Pentagon Wants to Field Laser Weapons at Scale Within 3 Years

Amid waves of Iranian drone attacks, the US Defense Department is pushing to finally field high-energy laser weapons in the next 36 months.

A 20 kilowatt Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system during testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on March 7, 2026. (US Air Force photo)

For decades, the US military’s dream of high-energy laser weapons has been perpetually “five years away.” Now the Pentagon says it wants to finally make them an operational reality within the …