Focus: US Navy Advances Laser Weapon Capabilities to Defend Against Modern Drone Threats.

The United States Navy is intensifying its development and investment in laser weapon systems as part of a broader U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to modernize the force and integrate emerging technologies capable of countering evolving threats. This effort recently marked a major milestone with a live-fire demonstration of a Laser Weapon System (LWS) developed by Aurelius Systems, conducted in collaboration with the Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) team at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Citing information published by the DoD on March 20, 2025, the test involved the successful neutralization of a Group 1 quadcopter drone at distances of 50 and 110 meters—the latter being the longest successful laser engagement achieved by Aurelius to date.
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A quadcopter was incinerated after successfully engaging by Aurelius Systems’ laser weapon system during the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) quarterly Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) event. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

This successful test reflects the increasing focus of the U.S. Navy and DoD (Department of Defense) on directed-energy weapons to meet urgent tactical needs. The demonstration took place during a JIFX event, which brings together dozens of emerging technology companies, military engineers, and operationally experienced warfighter-students at NPS to test, prototype, and validate new defense capabilities in realistic conditions. These highly collaborative events not only accelerate dual-use technology development but also directly support the Pentagon’s priority of fielding advanced systems in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and counter-drone warfare.

The Aurelius LWS (Laser Weapon System) was deployed atop a remote hill and operated in sentry mode, autonomously scanning the sky and ground, detecting threats, and tracking targets in real time. Using a near-infrared fiber laser, the system successfully engaged both static and moving drones, showcasing its readiness for future tactical integration. According to Aurelius Systems CEO Michael Laframboise, the system’s ability to detect, track, and destroy aerial targets while they maneuver demonstrates its maturing operational effectiveness.

Laser weapons are gaining prominence in U.S. military doctrine due to their distinct advantages over conventional kinetic systems. These include speed-of-light engagement, pinpoint precision, and scalable, non-explosive effects, making them ideal for environments where collateral damage must be minimized. Critically, laser weapons offer a vastly lower cost per shot—just a few dollars in electrical energy compared to tens of thousands of dollars for conventional interceptors or missiles. This makes them especially suitable for countering low-cost, high-volume threats such as drone swarms, loitering munitions, and even artillery or rocket attacks.

Furthermore, laser systems eliminate the need for traditional ammunition supply chains, reducing logistical burdens and enabling sustained defense in contested or austere environments. Supporting this vision, the JIFX demonstration featured an expeditionary battery power solution provided by Chariot Defense. Replacing three bulky fossil-fuel generators, Chariot’s compact high-voltage battery system powered all laser operations and retained enough capacity for more than 1,000 additional shots. The battery’s low acoustic and thermal signatures enhance survivability and mobility—key attributes for deploying directed-energy systems at the tactical edge.

While lasers were destroying drones at one JIFX (Joint Interagency Field Experimentation) site, elsewhere at McMillan Airfield, Firestorm Labs was building them. The company showcased its xCell expeditionary additive manufacturing system, which fabricated airframe components on-site for its Tempest modular Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Housed in two container-sized modules, the xCell platform demonstrated the growing feasibility of producing drones and spare parts at the point of need—an invaluable capability in scenarios where supply lines are contested or unavailable. The Tempest UAS itself is a versatile platform, capable of carrying 4.5 to 9 kilograms of payload at speeds ranging from 120 to 240 kilometers per hour, over distances of 160 to 1,085 kilometers, depending on its propulsion configuration.

These innovations are part of a broader strategic shift by the U.S. DoD (Department of Defense) toward scalable, sustainable, and agile defense technologies. The Navy’s laser weapon development portfolio includes several key programs such as the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system, which is being integrated into Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to defend against drones and small boats. Meanwhile, the Solid-State Laser Technology Maturation (SSL-TM) program is working to transition advanced solid-state lasers from research labs into operational platforms. The U.S. Army is deploying 50-kilowatt-class systems through its Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) program on Stryker vehicles, while the U.S. Air Force is developing the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) to defend fighter aircraft from missile threats.

The successful integration of Aurelius’ LWS into a realistic field environment during JIFX, supported by Chariot’s power systems and complemented by Firestorm’s forward manufacturing capabilities, demonstrates how the DoD is not only advancing individual technologies but also building an interconnected defense ecosystem. These developments illustrate how the Navy and its partners are adapting to an operational landscape increasingly dominated by unmanned, fast-moving, and low-cost threats.

As the U.S. military continues to adapt to rapidly evolving challenges, directed-energy weapons like the Aurelius LWS will play a critical role in future operations. From defending forward operating bases and naval vessels to enabling mobile units to counter aerial threats in real time, laser weapons offer a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable solution. With testbeds like JIFX accelerating their development, these systems are quickly transitioning from experimental technologies into operational assets, capable of safeguarding U.S. forces across multiple domains.