2026: The Breakthrough Year for Military Lasers?
The year 2026 could mark a defining moment for military lasers, as the U.S. Army prepares to award its first production contract for high-energy, vehicle-mounted air defense systems. This move represents the culmination of decades of research into practical directed-energy weapons—but widespread adoption will still hinge on persuading troops to trust them over traditional interceptor missiles.
The Army’s First High-Energy Laser Production Contract
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has spent recent years advancing military lasers to operational readiness. Since its inception, the program has delivered 17 directed energy prototypes capable of neutralizing drones, rockets, and missiles. Among them, 50-kilowatt Raytheon systems mounted on Stryker vehicles have undergone rigorous testing in the Middle East.
These successful trials have prompted Army leaders to request $679 million in the 2026 defense budget to equip 44 Strykers with high-energy lasers. Raytheon and rival defense contractors will participate in the upcoming competition for the production contract, guaranteeing a competitive selection process.
Winning Troop Confidence in Directed-Energy Weapons
Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, RCCTO’s director, has stressed that the true measure of military lasers will not come from engineering labs but from the battlefield. Their success depends on whether the junior soldiers at the console can integrate lasers into a tiered defense that includes next-generation interceptors, Coyote interceptors, and Stinger missiles.
While the technology is ready, human confidence remains the hurdle. At Fort Sill last summer, soldiers tested 50-kilowatt lasers along with small missiles. Despite strong performance, many preferred proven kinetic interceptors, reluctant to rely solely on directed energy.
Overcoming the Classic Challenges: Range and Power
The operational limitations of military lasers remain largely unchanged: range and atmospheric interference. Near the ground or sea, dust, moisture, and particulates can disperse a laser beam, reducing energy delivered to the target. Consequently, lasers work best at shorter distances—often uncomfortably close to the threat.
Rasch acknowledged that convincing troops to let a drone or missile approach before engaging with a laser is a psychological shift. “We have to give that soldier the confidence,” he said, and that requires systems that perform consistently under real combat conditions.
Reliability and Maintainability: Keys to Deployment
For military lasers to become standard kit, the winning contractor must deliver reliability that encourages daily use and maintenance requirements suited to frontline operations—no clean-room repairs, no excessive downtime. Systems must be robust enough to handle harsh field environments without specialist infrastructure.
Integrating Robotics for Forward Defence
Looking ahead, the Army is exploring robotic integration to extend the reach of military lasers without exposing troops to danger. Unmanned ground vehicles could position laser systems closer to threats, offsetting range limitations without costly power upgrades. Rasch cited ongoing work at Fort Belvoir and Aberdeen Proving Ground, suggesting that forward-deployed robotic laser platforms could be a cost-effective solution.
Full Leadership Backing for Directed Energy
Despite the challenges, military lasers enjoy strong support from Army leadership. This backing has created momentum for creative engineering solutions, encouraging defense innovators to push the boundaries of beam power, mobility, and target-tracking precision.
If the 2026 production decision results in a reliable, user-friendly, and field-ready system, military lasers could finally shift from experimental tech to frontline reality.
