The U.S. Army is expected to officially add a directed‑energy laser to its base defenses, with a contract for up to 24 Enduring High‑Energy Laser (E‑HEL) systems slated for award soon, according to a source familiar with the procurement. The move follows a draft solicitation that asked defense firms to confirm the feasibility of producing and fielding the weapons.
The decision comes amid a surge in low‑cost, small‑drone activity that has challenged forces in Ukraine, Israel and the Middle East, and even on the U.S. southern border where a vehicle equipped with a BlueHalo LOCUST laser was deployed last year. Earlier attempts, such as a Stryker‑mounted laser, were deemed not mature enough by the Government Accountability Office, prompting a redesign that culminated in the E‑HEL.
If the contract proceeds, the laser would represent a significant leap in the military’s adoption of directed‑energy weapons, offering a non‑kinetic option against swarms that cannot be jammed. The Pentagon has deferred further comment to the Army, which declined to speak publicly, while the solicitation process continues to verify the system’s practicality.
