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 designated five locations to test "directed energy" counter-drone systems, utilizing high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves, with operational deployment planned for this year.
Prior testing by the FAA and Pentagon has validated these systems as not posing "undue risk" to passenger aircraft, clearing the way for their deployment to protect critical infrastructure, military installations, and homeland missions.
This pilot program is a significant, well-funded part of a broader effort to accelerate advanced counter-drone capabilities, driven by national security imperatives and concerns over events like 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.
