5 US bases to get directed-energy weapons to counter drones under federal pilot program

[rangerrebew]

5 US bases to get directed-energy weapons to counter drones under federal pilot program

By GARY WARNER STARS AND STRIPES •
 
The base, home to Nimitz-class carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, is one of five chosen for a pilot program to use directed-energy weapons to knock down drones illegally flying over installations. (Gary Warner/Stars and Stripes) Lasers, microwaves and other directed-energy weapons systems will be deployed to defend against illegal drone flights around five military bases under a Pentagon pilot program announced Thursday. The bases chosen, according to a statement from Joint Interagency Task Force 401, are: One Navy base: Naval Base Kitsap, Wash. Two Army bases: Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Two Air Force bases: Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The task force was created in 2025 to consolidate efforts to defend U.S. facilities against drones. Based at the Pentagon and run by the Army, the task force also works with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration and federal law enforcement agencies. “Countering unlawful and adversarial drone activity is a homeland defense imperative,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Task Force 401 director. “There is no ‘silver bullet’ to address this challenge, and this pilot program integrates cutting-edge technology into the department’s broader counterdrone toolkit.”

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-05-07/directed-energy-weapons-to-counter-drones-21606215.html
Source - Stars and Stripes

[DB]

I wonder how many birds will be zapped... It is probably pretty difficult to differentiate between a bird and a small drone.

[MeganC]

Remember after the Lahaina fire when people mentioning Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) were dismissed as paranoid cranks? As if such things were imaginary? 

[BobfromWB]

One Navy base: Naval Base Kitsap, Wash.

Bangor Naval base, WA - where Navy nuclear subs go to get replenished. One of them came in submerged all the way from the ocean. It passed underwater beneath the bridge over Hood Canal.

Its also the home of a real Yellow Submarine ...

[Free Vulcan]

Pew pew!