Revolutionary Laser Tech Unveiled: Inside the US Military’s Latest Defense System

Editor’s note: Originally published in the Laser Wars newsletter, this article explores military laser weapons and advanced defense technologies. Subscribe here.

The U.S. Defense Department is developing an advanced laser weapon capable of destroying cruise missiles, a key component of its planned “Golden Dome for America” missile defense strategy.

This new weapon, officially known as the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS), is a project jointly undertaken by the U.S. Army and Navy, as first reported by Laser Wars in June 2025. The initial version will be a 150-kilowatt system housed in a container, with the potential to upgrade to a 300-kilowatt version to better counter cruise missile threats, according to details from the Navy’s fiscal year 2027 budget request.

Additionally, the system will feature a Joint Beam Control System that can support a laser weapon ranging from 300 to 500 kilowatts, the documents highlight.

The JLWS program will build upon insights from previous research and development initiatives, including the Navy’s 60-kilowatt High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system installed on the USS Preble, and the Army’s 300-kilowatt Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) system, expected to be delivered later this year.

The Navy plans to enhance its High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project (HELCAP) test bed to support future testing of the JLWS.

While the Army’s budget last year included $51 million for the JLWS under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this year’s request lacks specific R&D funding for 2027. Instead, the plan outlines $337.8 million in spending from 2028 to 2031 for the project.

The Army appears set to complete its IFPC-HEL activities before commencing work on the JLWS. Meanwhile, the Navy is moving forward with its own plans.

For fiscal 2027, the Navy has requested $94.825 million under its Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems program, a significant increase from the previous year’s $14.5 million. This funding will support the initial R&D for the JLWS, sustain the existing HELIOS system, and upgrade the HELCAP test bed.

An additional $243.3 million is planned for JLWS R&D through 2031, bringing the total projected R&D investment by the Army and Navy to $675.93 million.

Lockheed Martin is likely to secure these contracts, given its role in developing both the HELIOS and IFPC-HEL systems and its work on a containerized version of HELIOS.

While the Pentagon’s budget also earmarks $452 million for the development of directed energy weapons as part of the Golden Dome initiative, the specific connection to the JLWS projects remains somewhat ambiguous.

The Navy’s budget documents also mention $79.84 million allocated under the Surface Navy Laser Weapon System to kickstart the development of a comprehensive implementation plan for all Golden Dome-related directed energy projects, in collaboration with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

Historically, the concept of a laser weapon capable of intercepting cruise missiles dates back to the 1970s, starting with the Navy ARPA Chemical Laser. However, practical deployment challenges have persisted through the decades, with systems like the Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser and the Airborne Laser program experiencing significant hurdles.

More recent efforts, such as the Navy’s Layered Laser Defense system, have shown progress in realistic settings, suggesting a renewed potential for success in this area.

Facing complex challenges such as atmospheric interference and the need for precise beam control, the JLWS represents a strategic shift towards containerized, modular laser systems that could be more readily integrated and deployed across various platforms.

With strong institutional support for advancing directed energy technologies, the JLWS could potentially realize the long-held military ambition of deploying effective missile-killing laser systems, provided it can navigate the intricate dynamics of technology development, budgetary considerations, and operational deployment.