The Navy plans to increase funding for directed energy solutions, like lasers, in an effort to reduce the cost of intercepting enemy missiles, according to service secretary Carlos Del Toro. Del Toro aims to see “aggressive” deployment of these technologies in five to 10 years. The Navy currently has four directed energy efforts for ship defense.
Despite installing its first laser on a ship over ten years ago, the Navy faces challenges in developing lasers with sufficient power to down fast-moving drones and missiles. U.S. Central Command leader Gen. Erik Kurilla emphasized the importance of directed energy to avoid using expensive missiles. The Defense Department’s most recent budget request includes $355 million for directed energy research and development, but the GAO reported spending $1 billion on directed energy across the Department in 2023.
Sen. Angus King raised concerns about the Defense Department’s cuts in directed energy research, prompting Del Toro to commit to increasing the Navy’s funding for directed energy within the POM 2026. Del Toro regretted the lack of investment in laser and high directed energy systems in the past and highlighted the need to aggressively employ these capabilities on Navy ships in the future.