The US Navy Just Bolted A Laser Weapon Onto Its Newest Destroyer, But It's Still Not Enough To Stop Drone Swarms

The United States Navy has recently installed a laser weapon system onto the USS Powell (DD836), its newest guided missile destroyer. This marks an important step in the Navy’s ongoing efforts to integrate directed energy weapons into naval operations. However, despite this installation, significant challenges remain before laser defense becomes fully operational against potential threats like drone swarms. The current laser system is not yet capable of effectively neutralizing large numbers of drones simultaneously. Experts acknowledge that further technological advancements and substantial investment are needed to realize the Navy's vision for laser-based defenses at sea.