Service official highlights maturity of laser technology, potential for non-kinetic effects.
Huntsville, Ala. – The US Army is increasing its focus on directed energy weapons and exploring their potential applications for a broader missile defense effort, according to a senior service official.
Non-Kinetic Effects for Missile Defense
„We can contribute these non-kinetic effects,” said Keith Krapels, head of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Technical Center, at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium. He emphasized the maturity of laser-directed energy technologies and the need to „pull laser-directed energy across the finish line … and start producing the numbers.”
Army’s Role in Directed Energy Development
Krapels noted that the Army’s Technical Center researchers are „the owners of science and technology to develop directed energy weapons and the electronic warfare systems to counter adversary use of space.”
Testing and Prototypes
Past work on directed energy weapons has included testing several prototypes, including the Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD). The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is now pursuing an Enduring High Energy Laser program, with potential acquisition of a new weapon system in fiscal 2026, contingent on funding.
Range of Directed Energy Technologies
RCCTO head Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch stated that his team „continues to work over a variety of technologies ranging from 10-kilowatt palletized irons lasers, up to 20 to 30-kilowatt systems mounted on infantry squad vehicles and JLTVs [Joint Light Tactical Vehicles], up to the 50-kilowatt medium SHORAD, and then 300-kilowatt laser systems, as well as one as well as the high performance, high power microwave technologies.”
Challenges and Opportunities
Krapels identified the lack of a „robust manufacturing base” and a limited „engineering base for direct energy weapon systems” as current challenges.
High-Powered Microwave Weapons
While high-powered microwave weapons are less mature than laser technology, Krapels sees „a huge opportunity space” due to their potential for effective effects at longer ranges.
Potential to Change the Game
Krapels emphasized that a realignment of priorities should provide the resources to develop these technologies and „change the game on our potential adversary, and all of their investment, or most of their investment, becomes kind of OBE.”
