In Huntsville, Alabama, the U.S. Army is evaluating additional 50-kilowatt platforms for short-range air defense laser weapons, with four initial prototypes already deploying in U.S. Central Command’s area of operations. Three of the Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense systems are in Iraq for experimentation, with the fourth prototype joining after modifications, according to Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch.
Originally planned for a 2023 transition, the DE M-SHORAD prototyping effort was extended to fiscal 2025 due to development needs. The first prototypes feature a 50-kilowatt laser from Raytheon on a Stryker combat vehicle, with Kord Technologies as the lead integrator.
Additional 50-kilowatt platforms from nLight and Lockheed Martin will arrive next year for evaluation. The Army will spend about two years assessing options to inform a decision in the late 2026 or early 2027 timeframe, taking into account beam quality, affordability, and reliability differences.
With an annual investment of about $100 million, the Army is evaluating 10-, 20-, 50-, and 300-kilowatt laser options for various threats and missions. Integrated testing will provide insight into power, lethality, affordability, and reliability across directed-energy weapons, aiding in the identification of optimal countermeasures for different environments.
