U.S. Army drone operators Anthony Kavanaugh (left) and Ari Snipes conduct testing with small uncrewed aircraft in Washington on April 23. [Credit: U.S. Air Force/Hayden Hallman]
Key Takeaways:
A federal task force has selected five U.S. military sites to test and deploy "directed energy" counter-drone systems, including high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves, with operational deployment aimed for this year.
These systems have been validated by the FAA and Pentagon as safe for air travel, posing no undue risk to passenger aircraft, thus clearing them for future deployment.
The "directed-energy C-UAS pilot program" is a federally funded initiative to accelerate the fielding of advanced counter-drone capabilities to protect critical infrastructure, military installations, and homeland missions.
The urgency for these counter-drone efforts is heightened by the perceived threat of unlawful drone activity at major upcoming events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A federal counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) task force on Wednesday announced five locations that will test “high-energy lasers and high-powered microwave systems” designed to mitigate drone threats.
The Pentagon plans to conduct “rigorous testing and operational assessments” using the “directed energy” technology, which it aims to deploy operationally this year.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
