The Role of High Energy Laser as a U.S. Army Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Weapon

This qualitative study explores the potential of solid-state High Energy Laser (HEL) Directed Energy (DE) technology as an effective Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) capability in the U.S. Army. The progression of laser technology from 1960s gas lasers to 2000s solid-state fiber laser is outlined. Solid-state fiber lasers show promise for defensive weaponization due to excellent beam quality, high efficiency, compact size, and robust thermal management. An analysis of current U.S. military HEL weapon system development across the Air Force, Army, and Navy revealed significant investments but limited operational fielding to date. HEL weapon systems offer advantages in speed, cost-effectiveness, precision, and graduated response compared to traditional kinetic weapons for countering small drone threats. However, limitations remain including line-of-sight constraints, atmospheric impacts on beam propagation, and integration challenges. Specific benefits and challenges of using HEL as a C-sUAS solution in the U.S. Army were examined. The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO), led by the U.S. Army, plays a key role in aligning service efforts into a unified capability architecture. Ongoing research and development aim to address size, weight, and power demands, enhance testing realism, and fulfill industrial base manufacturing needs to transition HEL weapon systems from prototypes to operational weapon systems. Overall, solid-state fiber laser HEL technology shows strong potential, but integration and fielding challenges remain. The U.S. Army should continue advanced development while refining tactics, leveraging unified governance, and shaping policy to enable effective operational capability.