Air and Space

The US Military Wants Laser-Armed Drones for Domestic Air Defense

The US Missile Defense Agency is “all in” on “bringing directed energy to the fight,” according to the agency’s director.

Apr 20 • Jared Keller

The Pentagon’s FY2027 Budget Bet on Directed Energy Weapons

The US Defense Department's fiscal year 2027 budget request could yield more than $2 billion in directed energy RDT&E funding.

Apr 8 • Jared Keller

Here’s the Status of Every Known US Military Laser Weapon

This is the current state of play for US military laser weapons.

Mar 28 • Jared Keller

Here Comes the Lasercopter

The Israeli military wants to slap a high-energy laser weapon on an attack helicopter.

Mar 19 • Jared Keller

The Air Force Is Taking Another Run at Airborne Laser Weapons

The service is planning a new airborne laser weapon initiative for fiscal year 2027.

Dec 12, 2025 • Jared Keller

RIP Russian Laser Plane

A Ukrainian attack on a Russian airbase appears to have claimed a rare airborne laser testbed.

Nov 29, 2025 • Jared Keller

Building Space-Based Laser Weapons During America's 'Star Wars' Era

Former Strategic Defense Initiative optical engineer Gary Golnik talks early laser weapon R&D, technical challenges, and the Cold War "laser gap."

Oct 27, 2025 • Jared Keller

Israel Is Forging Ahead With an Airborne 'Iron Beam’

While the US retreats from its airborne laser weapon ambitions, Israel is taking directed energy to the skies.

Aug 25, 2025 • Jared Keller

The Air Force Is Giving Up on Airborne Laser Weapons (For Now)

The service's airborne laser ambitions have hit turbulence.

Jul 21, 2025 • Jared Keller

The Return of ‘Star Wars': The Pentagon Is Eyeing Space Lasers for Missile Defense

The American dream of an orbital directed energy weapons is alive and well.

Jul 14, 2025 • Jared Keller

The US Military’s Laser Weapon Wake-Up Call

The rise of military laser weapons seemed all but inevitable. Now, the Pentagon’s dream appears in trouble.

Jun 23, 2025 • Jared Keller

Highway to the Laser Drone

🎶 Ride into the danger zone 🎶

Apr 23, 2025 • Jared Keller

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