US Air Force takes delivery of laser weapons
The palletised H4 is a 10-kilowatt laser weapon designed according to US military specifications. (Photo: Raytheon Technologies)
Raytheon Technologies have delivered the fourth combat-ready laser weapon to the USAF.
Preceding the deliveries, the company and the USAF Life Cycle Management Centre have conducted a series of successful tests on the air force’s first-ever palletised high-energy laser weapon.
The live-fire exercises took place over four consecutive days at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The H4 is a 10kWlaser weapon designed according to US military specifications, capable of being transported and installed in any location as needed.
Raytheon Technologies has now delivered four operational laser weapon systems to the USAF, with a total of eight supplied to the DoD.
The primary role of the laser weapon is to safeguard personnel and assets from short-range aerial threats.
Raytheon said the weapon system underwent rigorous testing as part of the USAF Test and Assessment plan.
This included multiple live-fire exercises, focusing on acquiring, targeting, tracking and neutralising drone targets in various attack scenarios, including short-range, swarm and long-range threats.
The palletised laser weapon system is compact enough to fit into the cargo bed of a pickup truck.
It consists of a high-energy laser weapon module, a long-range electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor that also serves as the beam director, thermal control, internal electrical power and targeting software.
More from Air Warfare
-
![A new shape in the sky? Mapping out the F-47’s configuration]()
A new shape in the sky? Mapping out the F-47’s configuration
As images of what might be an F-47 prototype or proof-of-concept vehicle emerge from the Nevada desert, what do they tell us about the aircraft’s capabilities and enabling technologies?
-
![Latin American fixed-wing capability gaps create openings for industry competition]()
Latin American fixed-wing capability gaps create openings for industry competition
Transport and tanker aircraft represent a growing opportunity in Latin America as countries in the region increasingly look to replace ageing fleets and reduce dependence on second-hand platforms.
-
![US Air Force seeks additional suppliers of bunker bomb warheads]()
US Air Force seeks additional suppliers of bunker bomb warheads
The USAF plans to award up to four contracts to expand production of large penetrator warhead case assemblies supporting the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator and future GBU-76 Next-Generation Penetrator.
-
![June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory]()
June drone digest: Landmark CCA contract and deep-strike capability flourishes at Eurosatory
June 2026 saw the landmark acquisition of the first fighter-type Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), while the month also hosted Eurosatory, which showcased deep-strike capabilities and production deals with the civilian industry.
