Will 2026 be military lasers’ breakthrough year?
The U.S. Army plans to award its first production contract for high-energy, vehicle-mounted air-defense lasers in 2026, aiming to replace some traditional missile interceptors with directed-energy systems. Recent prototypes, including 50-kilowatt Raytheon lasers on Stryker vehicles tested in the Middle East and at Fort Sill, have shown promise, prompting a $679 million budget request to equip 44 Strykers. However, adoption depends on convincing troops to trust lasers despite challenges such as limited range, power issues, and performance degradation in dirty or humid air. To win the contract, manufacturers must prove reliability, ease of maintenance, and suitability for field conditions. Army leaders, fully backing the program, are exploring innovative solutions like mounting lasers on unmanned ground vehicles to position them closer to threats while keeping soldiers safe.