Directed energy weapons key for ballistic missile defence
Despite the US military’s rocky relationship with directed energy, top Pentagon leaders made the case to Congress for eventually folding high powered lasers into the ballistic missile defence (BMD) system architecture.
During a 7 March House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee hearing, Duncan Hunter (R-CA) asked Pentagon leaders to discuss how ‘super risky, super new’ directed energy weapons could be used to shoot down ballistic missiles in the boost phase.
‘To me it’s really not a technical question. To me it’s a policy question,’ US Strategic Command commander USAF Gen John Hyten responded.
‘The challenge that we have,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
-
MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog
MBDA CEO Éric Béranger stressed the company’s role supporting European countries with complex weapon systems and focused on boosting production against the backdrop of “shifting” geopolitical alliances.