The United States defence department has announced the directed energy systems selected following the Joint Interagency Task Force 401’s (JIATF-401) counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) directed energy pilot programme.
The systems selected are AeroVironment’s Palletized High-Energy Laser system, Epirus’ Leonidas High-Powered Microwave system, Kord’s Firefly High-Energy Laser system and Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon system.
The pilot programme will test these capabilities in an operational environment in order to understand how they can be best integrated into the US defence mission. The evaluation will include real-time data and feedback on the systems’ requirements, costs and best practices.
JIATF-401 is conducting the pilot programme in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Northern Command and the military services. Earlier this year, JIATF-401 partnered with the FAA to conduct a safety risk assessment during a live-fire HEL demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. As a result of this testing, the FAA determined that the system posed minimal risk to the National Airspace System and established a framework for continued coordination.
In December, the Department of Defense will host a directed energy ‘shoot-off’ at Dugway Proving Ground to assess additional high-energy laser and high-powered microwave systems to identify promising capabilities for future operational use.
For more information
Department of Defense – United States
Image: Joint Task Force – Southern Border personnel use the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to engage and defeat a hostile UAS, August 25, 2026. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Daniel Huerta)
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