The US Army's directed energy solution for short-range air defense continues to be refined through a variety of competitive prototyping efforts.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it will deploy at least one anti-air laser weapons system — called “Block-I” — this year.
The gear aims to limit the potential risk to pilots and other aircrew amid a recent spike in lasing incidents.
The U.S. Army is eyeing Iron Beam as a possible alternative laser to augment its own fire protection capability.
