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Missile Defense

MDA Sees ‘Real Progress’ In Directed Energy Laser Weapons

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023

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MDA Sees ‘Real Progress’ In Directed Energy Laser Weapons

U.S. Army’s Indirect Fires Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) Demonstrator laser weapon system. (Image: courtesy Lockheed Martin)

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is increasingly optimistic about the potential to use directed energy laser weapons for missile defense purposes after a period of limiting work on it, a top official said last week. “Directed energy shows great promise for the future. I mean, there's so many advantages of having a potential directed energy engagement system, you give the warfighter additional engagement opportunities, save interceptors, lower costs per engagement. So lots of great potential for directed energy,” Laura DeSimone,…

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