This makes lasers particularly attractive for defending fixed targets such as oil refineries, airports, naval vessels and military bases.

How effective are these laser systems?

Despite their promise, lasers remain far from perfect.

Weather conditions can significantly degrade their performance. Humidity can distort the beam, while fog or clouds can weaken it before it reaches the target.

Environmental factors also present problems in harsh operational environments.

Sea spray, dust and sand can damage sensitive optical components, making field deployment challenging — particularly in regions such as the Middle East.

A report by the Washington think tank Centre for a New American Security found that four 50-kilowatt lasers deployed to defend US bases in Iraq in 2024 proved “cumbersome and ineffective” for soldiers operating them.

Scott Keeney, chief executive and co-founder of laser manufacturer nLight, said the technology has improved significantly but should not be oversold.

“It is being used, and it will be used in more and more applications,” he said. “But lasers are not the solution in every environment at all times. No one should be saying that.”

How powerful are these weapons?

Laser power is measured in kilowatts.

A 100-kilowatt laser contains roughly half the horsepower of a typical car engine. But when concentrated into a narrow beam, that energy can cause serious damage.

Keeney said such a beam can be powerful enough to damage an aircraft engine if it remains focused long enough.

Are there risks to civilian aviation?

Laser technology can also pose hazards outside the battlefield.

Shining lasers at aircraft can temporarily blind pilots, posing a serious safety risk. Nearly 11,000 laser incidents involving aircraft were reported to the US Federal Aviation Administration last year.

One recent example involved the temporary closure of an airport in El Paso after a laser incident.

Are other countries developing laser weapons?

Several countries are actively pursuing laser air-defence technology.

Israel has been developing the Iron Beam system, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. The weapon has been described as a breakthrough in laser interception technology.

However, Israeli officials say the latest version — a 100-kilowatt system delivered in December — is not yet ready for deployment in the current war, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Elsewhere:

Australia’s Electro Optic Systems has agreed to supply a 100-kilowatt laser system to South Korea.
Ukrainian engineers have developed a compact laser system called Sunray that can fit in the trunk of a car.
China unveiled its own 180-kilowatt ship-mounted laser system, known as LY-1, last year.

How expensive are laser systems themselves?

While firing lasers is cheap, the systems that generate them can be extremely expensive.

Lockheed Martin received a $150 million contract in 2018 to build two prototypes for the US Navy.

The resulting system — known as HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance) — is installed on the destroyer USS Preble, deployed in Japan.

However, the Navy is still evaluating how well the system’s sensitive optics perform after prolonged exposure to saltwater and humidity.

Some reports have confused HELIOS with another system called ODIN, which does not destroy drones but instead dazzles them with powerful light to disrupt sensors.

Can the US build lasers at scale?

Manufacturing may become a major bottleneck.

High-energy lasers rely on rare-earth metals such as ytterbium to amplify light. Much of the global supply of these materials is controlled by China.

Laser systems also depend on semiconductors made using gallium — another material heavily produced in China.

A 2024 report by the National Defence Industrial Association warned that manufacturers can currently produce only small numbers of laser systems with long lead times.

Scaling up production could face additional challenges, including the manufacture of mirrors, lenses, beam directors and specialized power systems.

Infographic: SpaceX's first all-civilian space mission

Get Updates on Topics You Choose