The Laser's Time has not come, yet

by Benjamin Cook

Laser weapons are emerging as a promising defense against the growing threat of drones, which have become increasingly prevalent on modern battlefields. Recent successes in intercepting Houthi drones and Hamas rockets demonstrate the potential of lasers to offer precise, cost-effective defense compared to traditional missile systems. However, the complexities of real-world warfare, particularly in high-intensity conflict zones like Ukraine, raise significant questions about the viability of lasers as a comprehensive solution.

The Wall Street Journal article “Why Lasers Could Be Kryptonite for Drones” highlights the strengths of laser systems, particularly their precision and ability to shoot down drones at a fraction of the cost of a missile. While traditional missile defense systems can be effective, they are also expensive and can quickly deplete stockpiles, especially in cases of massed drone attacks. Lasers, in contrast, offer an almost unlimited number of shots as long as they have sufficient power, making them appealing in situations where UAV swarms or waves of cheap drones are deployed.

Yet, the environments in which these tests have taken place do not fully represent the real-world scenarios seen in modern warfare. While intercepting relatively slow-moving rockets and drones from non-state actors like Hamas and the Houthis may provide proof of concept, it is far removed from the threats posed by more sophisticated adversaries. In conflicts like the one in Ukraine, drone warfare is far more complex. Real-world scenarios would likely involve swarms of Shaheed drones, supersonic UAVs, and even hypersonic missiles, many of which are capable of changing course multiple times mid-flight. These drones could fly at various altitudes, drop ordnance, and include first-person view (FPV) drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy high-value assets such as laser systems themselves.

One major limitation for laser weapons, particularly those stationed on the ground, is their vulnerability. Stationary laser defense systems would be prime targets for enemy FPV drones or artillery, making them easy to neutralize in a well-coordinated attack. This issue challenges the notion that lasers can function as a reliable, all-encompassing solution for ground-based defense. For lasers to be viable in this context, they would need to be mounted on mobile platforms, such as trucks, to allow for rapid repositioning and to prevent being picked off by enemy drones.

Another challenge, often understated, is the significant power required to operate lasers effectively. While lasers can be highly efficient in controlled environments, delivering the necessary power on the battlefield is far more challenging. On ships, where large power supplies are readily available, lasers can operate continuously and provide a meaningful defense against drone swarms or even hypersonic threats. The U.S. Navy has already deployed prototypes of laser defense systems on ships, taking advantage of the ample power these vessels can generate. However, the situation on land is quite different. The electricity required to power a laser capable of taking down multiple drones in quick succession would require significant infrastructure—something that is difficult to provide in most terrestrial combat zones. The weight and logistics of deploying the necessary power supplies or capacitors make current ground-based laser systems impractical for sustained operations.

To be combat-effective, a ground-based laser would need to fire continuously at multiple targets, taking down 10-20 UAVs before requiring recharging or cooling. This makes mobile laser units the only feasible ground solution, and even then, there are serious doubts about their ability to function effectively over time. Swarming lasers mounted on trucks, capable of targeting dozens of incoming UAVs simultaneously, is a potential solution, but the technology to deliver that much power on the battlefield in real time is still years away.

In contrast, laser systems on ships offer immediate practical applications. The ability to generate sufficient power, combined with mobility, makes naval laser systems a more viable option for defending against UAVs and missile threats. These lasers could complement traditional kinetic defense systems, providing a cost-effective method of countering large numbers of incoming drones and preserving missile stockpiles for more critical targets.

While laser weapons hold significant promise, they remain an untested solution in the type of large-scale, multi-faceted drone warfare currently being waged in Ukraine and elsewhere. Until the power and mobility issues are addressed, their utility on the battlefield will remain limited. In the meantime, laser systems may serve as a supplemental, rather than primary, defense mechanism, particularly in naval applications. It is most certainly NOT Kryptonite to UAVs.