In late October 2024, the US Army achieved a major milestone in air defense when it successfully deployed a powerful new weapon in Iraq. This cutting-edge system, known as the Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD), uses a 50-kilowatt laser mounted on a Stryker vehicle to protect against aerial threats like drones, rockets, artillery, and mortars. This marks an important step forward in the Army’s efforts to tackle the growing dangers posed by small, fast-moving aerial attacks.
The new laser system was unveiled at the Future Armored Vehicles Survivability (FAVS) 2024 conference in London, where experts gathered to discuss the latest developments in military technology. According to reports, the DE M-SHORAD system has been designed to work effectively in the field, neutralizing a wide range of threats with precision and efficiency.
The system is mounted on a Stryker vehicle, which is a well-known military transport vehicle. The DE M-SHORAD prototype can target and destroy smaller aerial threats, such as class one to three drones, as well as rockets, artillery shells, and mortars. The laser’s range of power is impressive, making it a serious asset to the Army’s air defense capabilities.
In September 2023, the Army received four prototype vehicles equipped with this technology, which were then tested under real-world conditions in Iraq. The prototypes were also transported to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations in early 2024, where they underwent further testing to evaluate their performance in battle.
What makes the DE M-SHORAD system even more remarkable is its mobility. The system is air-transportable, meaning it can be loaded onto a C-17 aircraft for quick deployment in any region. This ability to be swiftly moved and set up makes it highly effective in rapidly changing combat situations.
One of the standout features of the DE M-SHORAD system is its successful test performance. In June 2024, during a rigorous assessment by the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), the system showed impressive results by shooting down all 15 target drones it was tested against. Although officials have not confirmed if the system has been used in actual combat against hostile drones, these results suggest that the technology is highly effective.
But it’s not just about firing lasers at targets—the system has been designed for self-sufficiency in challenging environments. The DE M-SHORAD system has been tested for durability and reliability, and it can be maintained in the field using a specialized ISO-5 cleanroom for repairs and diagnostics. This ensures that the system remains operational even in tough, remote areas where resources might be limited.
The rise of drones has become a serious concern on modern battlefields, especially in regions like the Middle East, where low-cost aerial attacks are increasingly common. Traditional defense systems, such as missile interceptors, can be expensive, and with drones becoming more widespread, the US Army has been pushing for more cost-effective solutions. That’s where directed energy weapons like the DE M-SHORAD come into play.
Directed energy weapons offer the potential to shoot down drones and other threats at a fraction of the cost of traditional missile systems. This is particularly crucial for operations in areas where drones pose a constant threat, but missile interceptors are often too costly and slow to respond in time.
The DE M-SHORAD is part of the Army’s larger plan to develop directed energy weapons as a primary defense tool. In addition to this 50-kilowatt laser, the Army is also working on other directed energy systems, such as the high-power microwave weapons that are integrated with Stryker vehicles. These systems can be used to target a variety of threats, including drones and missiles, offering a flexible and efficient solution to modern warfare challenges.
The Army is not stopping here. As part of its ongoing efforts to improve air defense, the US military is also exploring ways to further enhance the DE M-SHORAD’s capabilities, including lighter systems that could be dropped from the air or carried by helicopters. This would make it even more versatile, allowing the Army to respond quickly to emerging threats in different combat environments.
The future of warfare may be changing, but one thing is clear: directed energy weapons like the DE M-SHORAD are likely to become a key part of military defense systems, helping the US Army stay ahead of the curve in countering aerial threats.
