Rapid deployment of Directed Energy Weapons is leading to search and development of counter directed energy technologies, techniques and tactics

Directed-energy weapons are among a handful of maturing disruptive or asymmetric technologies that could confer game-changing technological advantages both as a superior defensive capability and as an effective electronic attack option. US Navy’s 30-kilowatt Laser Weapon System (LaWS) on USS Ponce is the first laser weapon to have attained Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by virtue of being deployed in a combat theater. The US Air Force is pursuing laser weapons systems (LWS) along with high powered electromagnetics (HPEM) to enable operations in a possible future battlespace involving a technologically advanced adversary with the ability to prevent access to—or deny our ability to operate in—a given area. There is also increased interest in defending against Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and hypersonic weapons.