What is a directed-energy weapon?

How it works

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) primer dated January 7, 2026 gives the U.S. Department of Defense definition. By that definition, directed-energy weapons use concentrated electromagnetic energy, rather than kinetic energy, to disable, damage or destroy equipment, facilities or personnel. The primer covers two kinds, high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves.

A high-energy laser produces a very narrow beam of light with an output of at least 1 kilowatt, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) explained in May 2023. GAO says it is typically used on one target at a time. It can temporarily overwhelm a sensor, an effect called dazzling, or heat a material until it melts. Microwave weapons have a wider beam that can affect several targets at once, GAO says. CRS reports some analysts think this may suit them to defending against drone swarms and missile salvos.

On power, CRS notes there is no consensus on thresholds, but some analysts believe:

• about 100 kilowatts could engage drones, rockets and mortars
• about 300 kilowatts, some cruise missiles
• 1 megawatt, potentially ballistic and hypersonic missiles

Why it matters

Many current U.S. laser programs run on electricity, so a shot costs what the electricity costs, CRS says. With enough power, a laser might fire more shots than a conventional weapon carries rounds, it says.

Rain and fog can cut a laser's range and beam quality, CRS says, and the systems have demanding size, weight, power and cooling needs. GAO adds that wide-beam weapons affect everything in an area, friend or foe.

The United States has researched directed energy since the 1960s and deployed its first operational weapon in 2014 aboard the USS Ponce, a July 2024 CRS report says.

Where things stand in 2026

In January 2026, CRS wrote the department was not known to have any directed-energy programs of record. On September 2, 2026, AeroVironment announced a $464.8 million Army award under the Enduring-High Energy Laser program. It called this the first production contract for high-energy laser weapons in U.S. history. Company officials said the 30-kilowatt LOCUST laser can shoot down medium and large drones for under $5 a shot, DefenseScoop reported.

The department now also uses the name Department of War. On October 5, 2026, it named three laser systems and one microwave system for a counter-drone pilot program inside the United States. It said a further shoot-off was planned for December.