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1 [1] (January 7, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/govetdh0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Defense Primer: Directed-Energy Weapons Senior U.S. defense officials have identified directed energy as a technology that could have a significant impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. As the Department of Defense (DOD)-which is using a secondary Department of War designation under Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025- continues to invest in directed-energy (DE) weapons, Congress may consider implications for defense authorizations, appropriations, and oversight. Overy ew DOD defines DE weapons as those using concentrated electromagnetic energy, rather than kinetic energy, to incapacitate, damage, disable, or destroy enemy equipment, facilities, and/or personnel. DE weapons include high-energy lasers (HEL) and high-powered microwave (HPM) weapons; other DE weapons, such as particle beam weapons, are outside the scope of this In Focus. HELs might be used by ground forces in short-range air defense (SHORAD), counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), or counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) missions. The weapons might be used to dazzle (i.e., temporarily disable) or damage satellites and sensors. This could in turn interfere with intelligence-gathering operations; military communications; and positioning, navigation, and timing systems used for weapons targeting. In addition, HELs could theoretically provide options for boost-phase missile intercept, given their speed-of-light travel time; however, experts disagree on the affordability, technological feasibility, and utility of this application. In general, HELs might offer lower costs per shot and- assuming access to a sufficient power supply-deeper magazines compared with traditional munitions. (Although a number of different types of HELs exist, many of the United States' current programs are solid state lasers, which are fueled by electrical power. As a result, the cost per shot is equivalent to the cost of the electrical power required to fire the shot.) This could in turn produce a favorable cost- exchange ratio for the defender, whose marginal costs would be significantly lower than those of the aggressor. Similarly, HPM weapons could provide a nonkinetic means of disabling adversary electronics and communications systems. These weapons could potentially generate effects over wider areas than HELs, which emit a narrower beam of energy. As a result, some analysts have noted that HPM weapons might provide more effective area defense against missile salvos and swarms of drones. HPM weapons have also been considered for use as nonlethal heat ray systems for crowd control. Updated January 7, 2026 Drected nergy Weapons Programs A number of countries are investing in directed-energy weapons programs. This In Focus discusses a selection of unclassified DE weapons programs in three leading military powers: the United States, China, and Russia. United States DOD requested approximately $789.7 million for unclassified DE programs in FY2025-down from its $962.4 million request and $1.1 billion appropriation in FY2024; DOD has not provided a topline for its FY2026 DE budget request. The department is not known to have any DE programs of record. (For additional information about specific U.S. DE weapons programs, see CRS Report R44175, Navy Shipboard Lasers: Background and Issues for Congress, by Ronald O'Rourke, and CRS Report R45098, U.S. Army Weapons-Related Directed Energy (DE) Programs: Background and Potential Issuesfor Congress, by Andrew Feickert.) DOD directed-energy programs are coordinated by the Principal Director for Directed Energy within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD[R&E]). The Principal Director for Directed Energy is additionally responsible for development and oversight of the Directed Energy Roadmap. According to the most recent publicly available version of the DE roadmap (dated May 17, 2024), the department plans to increase power levels of DE weapons from around 150 kilowatts (kW-a unit of power), as is currently feasible, to 500 kW-with reduced size and weight-in the 2025 to 2030 timeframe, and to increase power to megawatt (MW) levels at some point thereafter. For reference, although there is no consensus regarding the precise power level that would be needed to neutralize different target sets, some analysts believe that lasers of around 100 kW could engage unmanned aircraft systems, small boats, rockets, artillery, and mortars, whereas lasers of around 300 kW could additionally engage cruise missiles flying in certain profiles (i.e., flying across-rather than at-the laser). Lasers of 1 MW could potentially neutralize ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. DOD also manages the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI), which former Principal Director for Directed Energy Dr. Jim Trebes notes is to demonstrate laser output power scaling while maintaining or improving beam quality and efficiency. HELSI is intended to strengthen the defense industrial base for potential future directed-energy weapons by providing near-term prototyping opportunities for industry partners. Dr. Trebes additionally notes that OUSD(R&E) has completed a DOD- wide Laser Lethality Analysis Process Review to identify future needs for the Department and best practices for DE development and use. According to OUSD(R&E), DOD is