Landmark Deal Would Officially Add Laser Weapons to US Army Arsenal

Core Impact Points

• The Pentagon is set to sign a contract for 'Enduring High Energy Lasers' to defend against drone attacks, with the official announcement expected as early as this week.
• The US military has been testing laser weapons systems for over 50 years, but this deal marks the first time they will be equipped in significant numbers.
• The laser weapons are designed to be a cost-effective solution to counter the growing threat of cheap and deadly drones, which have proven difficult to stop with traditional countermeasures.
• The US military has deployed or is actively testing a half-dozen laser weapons systems, including the Navy's laser 'dazzlers' and the Air Force's Compact Laser Weapons System.
• Despite some mishaps, including an accidental kill of a Border Patrol drone, the Army appears ready to move beyond one-offs and experiments, with the laser set to be deployed in and around bases worldwide.