On a crowded battlefield, the U.S. Army is turning the page on drone defense with a plan to field up to 20 high-energy lasers capable of downing multiple classes of drones in minutes.

The Enduring-High Energy Laser, or E-HEL, would be designed for both mobile and semi-fixed protection and could be mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as a palletized system. The goal is to create a flexible, responsive shield that works against microdrones as well as larger suicide drones.

Drones in three weight classes are defined by the Defense Department as groups one to three, with group one representing tiny craft and group three closer to a quadcopter the size of the Army’s Shadow UAV. The RFI’s focus on group three one-way attack drones — commonly called suicide drones — underscores the risk these systems pose to troops and critical infrastructure.

The Army says the E-HEL will be able to hard-kill its target by disabling flight in midair, and it must track fast-moving aircraft in varied weather and light conditions. The initiative aligns with a broader push to push power-efficient lasers into fielded platforms rather than lab benches alone.

The project is being led by the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, which has been quietly pushing laser prototypes for years and now seeks a formal competition next year to select the best approach for the field. The service released the Request for Information on October 30 to gather private sector ideas for a flexible anti-drone laser weapon. The plan is to have a mobile and a static defense footprint, and to rely on pallets that can be moved with squads or mounted to vehicles as conditions demand.

Electro Optic Systems, the Australian firm behind a 150-kilowatt Apollo laser, has already showcased how such systems can perform in swarms, suggesting that a mature market exists for compact, high-power units that can be deployed quickly in theater. This signals a rising international pace in counter-UAS laser experimentation.

For contractors, the emphasis is on ruggedization, power generation, and cooling as much as on optics. A palletized laser must survive jolts, vibrations, and weather while still delivering precise, swift kills. The challenge is not simply “more watts” but how to integrate laser, sensor, and fire-control systems into a single, reliable platform that can be built at scale.

In the broader defense market, the move signals a shift toward open competition and rapid procurement for laser weapons, rather than long, multi-year development programs. The Army wants to spur private investment and accelerate fielding to outpace adversaries using drone swarms to harass troops and disrupt operations.

For defense planners, the message is clear: speed, scalability, and resilience matter when the skies over bases and convoys may soon be filled with swarms that are cheap, plentiful, and hard to detect.

What to Expect Next

Officials say the upcoming competition will weigh factors such as weight, power draw, cooling, accuracy, and the ability to adapt to different vehicle platforms. Expect a mix of tested prototypes and new designs as vendors push the envelope on compact, mobile laser weapons.

This trend is part of a larger pattern across defense sectors where the pace of tech development is outstripping traditional procurement cycles. The question for NATO allies and partner militaries will be how to harmonize standards and ensure interoperable, safe operation of laser weapons in shared airspace.

Conclusion

The Army’s push to field high-energy lasers against drone swarms marks a pivotal moment for modern warfare. If successful, E-HEL could deliver rapid, scalable defense in dynamic environments, changing how ground forces think about air threats. Yet practical hurdles remain, from power management to logistic support. The coming year will reveal whether the private sector can deliver a modular, rugged, and affordable system that meets Army demands.