Within Shot Cost
Can Lasers Keep Shooting When Missiles Run Low?
Lasers can deepen defensive magazines by using energy instead of one physical interceptor per shot, but firing rate is not unlimited.
On this page
- Why missile magazines run out
- Power and cooling as the new ammunition
- Dwell time and engagement rate limits
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Introduction
Directed energy weapons are often described as offering a “deep magazine” against drone attacks. In simple terms, the idea is that a laser does not consume a missile every time it fires. As long as power is available, the weapon can keep engaging targets without waiting for new interceptors to be loaded. That makes lasers particularly attractive during sustained drone campaigns, where defenders may face repeated waves of relatively cheap aircraft. However, deep magazines are not the same as unlimited firepower. A laser replaces one ammunition problem with another: instead of counting missiles, operators must manage electricity, heat, targeting time and engagement capacity. The key question is therefore not whether lasers can shoot indefinitely, but how long they can sustain useful defensive performance during a prolonged attack. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgIf the technology can be matured,RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a m…
Why Missile Magazines Run Out
Conventional air defence relies on physical interceptors. Every successful engagement removes one missile from a launcher, ship or vehicle. Once the available stock is exhausted, the defender must reload, resupply or withdraw.
This limitation becomes especially important during drone-heavy campaigns. Attackers can launch dozens or even hundreds of relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft over extended periods. Even when each drone is destroyed, the defender may be consuming expensive and finite munitions. The problem is not merely financial. Missile production lines, transport systems and onboard storage capacity all limit how many engagements can be sustained before stocks fall to uncomfortable levels. RAND has argued that directed energy systems could help relieve pressure on already stretched munitions inventories by taking some targets out of the missile engagement queue. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgIf the technology can be matured,RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a m…
The concept of magazine depth therefore concerns endurance rather than a single engagement. A defence that can defeat twenty drones before reloading has a shallower magazine than one that can defeat hundreds. Lasers are attractive because their “ammunition” is electrical energy, which can often be replenished more easily than missile stocks. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
Power and Cooling Become the New Ammunition
The phrase “virtually unlimited magazine” appears frequently in discussions of laser weapons, but it can be misleading. A laser may not consume missiles, yet it still consumes resources. High-energy beams require substantial electrical power, and not all of that energy reaches the target. A significant proportion becomes waste heat inside the weapon system. That heat must be removed before sustained firing can continue effectively. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
For this reason, power generation and cooling systems become the new logistics challenge.
A sustained defence depends on several linked factors:
- Available electrical generation capacity.
- Energy storage systems that can deliver short bursts of power.
- Thermal management equipment that removes accumulated heat.
- Sensor and tracking systems that remain operational throughout repeated engagements.
DragonFire, for example, has been associated with low firing costs and future naval deployment plans, but its effectiveness depends on the broader platform supplying sufficient power and supporting systems. Public descriptions of the programme highlight the importance of integration with ship power systems rather than treating the laser as an isolated device. [GOV.UK+2Wikipedia]GOV.UKboost for armed forces as new laser weapon takes down high speed dronesBoost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down…20 Nov 2025 — This new £316 million contract award - and news that DragonFire ha…
This shift changes the logistics equation. A warship carrying dozens of missiles may eventually run out of interceptors regardless of how much fuel remains aboard. A laser-equipped platform can potentially continue engaging targets as long as it can generate and distribute electrical power and keep critical components within safe operating temperatures. That does not eliminate constraints, but it changes where those constraints appear. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
Dwell Time Creates an Engagement Bottleneck
Another reason lasers are not truly unlimited is dwell time.
A missile generally destroys a target through a rapid intercept. A high-energy laser normally damages a target by holding concentrated energy on a vulnerable area long enough to heat, burn, melt or otherwise disable it. This means the beam often needs to remain on target for a measurable period rather than delivering all its effect instantaneously. Defence science literature consistently identifies dwell time as a central feature of laser lethality. [Air and Space Power Centre]airpower.airforce.gov.auAir and Space Power Centre Directed Energy WeaponsAir and Space Power CentreDirected Energy Weapons - Air and Space Power CentreMarch 26, 2020 — Laser energy can be used to attack targets…
The practical consequence is that a laser can become occupied with one target while other threats continue approaching.
Imagine two defensive systems facing a drone raid:
- A missile launcher may fire several interceptors in rapid succession at different targets.
- A laser may need to maintain beam contact on one drone before shifting to the next.
The exact timings vary with target size, range, atmospheric conditions and laser power, but the underlying limitation remains. Deep magazines do not automatically create unlimited engagement rates. A defender may have enough electrical energy for many shots while still struggling to process a large swarm quickly enough. [Air and Space Power Centre]airpower.airforce.gov.auAir and Space Power Centre Directed Energy WeaponsAir and Space Power CentreDirected Energy Weapons - Air and Space Power CentreMarch 26, 2020 — Laser energy can be used to attack targets…
This distinction is one reason militaries continue to view lasers as part of layered air defence rather than complete replacements for missiles and guns.
Can Lasers Handle Large Drone Swarms?
The answer depends on the size and density of the attack.
Against sporadic drones arriving over an extended period, a laser’s deep magazine can be extremely valuable. The defender can engage target after target without worrying about exhausting interceptor stocks. This is the scenario that makes low-cost-per-shot figures strategically interesting. Recent DragonFire and HELIOS demonstrations have reinforced military interest in using lasers against drone threats precisely because they can reduce reliance on expensive kinetic weapons. [GOV.UK+2The War Zone]GOV.UKboost for armed forces as new laser weapon takes down high speed dronesBoost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down…20 Nov 2025 — This new £316 million contract award - and news that DragonFire ha…
Against a dense swarm, however, different constraints emerge:
- Multiple targets may require simultaneous engagement.
- Atmospheric effects can reduce beam effectiveness.
- Tracking systems must maintain precise aim.
- Dwell times accumulate across many targets. [airpower.airforce.gov.au]airpower.airforce.gov.auAir and Space Power Centre Directed Energy WeaponsAir and Space Power CentreDirected Energy Weapons - Air and Space Power CentreMarch 26, 2020 — Laser energy can be used to attack targets…
- Cooling demands rise as firing intensity increases.
As a result, a laser may destroy many drones during a prolonged attack yet still become saturated if enough threats arrive at once. Magazine depth helps with endurance, but it does not guarantee immunity from overwhelming numbers. [defencesciencereview.com.pl]com.plpdf 216776 135052DEFENCE SCIENCE REVIEWby A Karkadakattil · 2026 · Cited by 1 — Objectives: This review aims to evaluate the current capabilities of laser…
What Deep Magazines Really Mean for Drone Defence
The most realistic value of directed energy weapons is not that they can shoot forever. It is that they change the relationship between endurance and ammunition expenditure.
A missile battery gradually empties as engagements accumulate. A laser-equipped defence can continue fighting without consuming a physical interceptor for every drone destroyed. That allows expensive missiles to be reserved for faster, tougher or more dangerous threats while lasers handle suitable targets within their range and environmental limits. RAND and other defence analysts increasingly frame directed energy weapons in exactly this role: a complementary layer that stretches defensive endurance rather than replacing traditional air defence. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgIf the technology can be matured,RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a m…
In that sense, the deep-magazine argument is fundamentally about staying power. Lasers cannot escape the realities of power generation, cooling requirements or dwell-time constraints. What they can do is move the limiting factor away from finite missile inventories and toward resources that, in many situations, are easier to replenish during a sustained drone campaign. [Sentrycs+2defencesciencereview.com.pl]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
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Endnotes
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Source: rand.org
Title: If the technology can be matured,
Link: https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/01/directed-energy-the-focus-on-laser-weapons-intensifies.htmlSource snippet
RAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Directed energy weapons offer a m...
Published: January 25, 2024
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Source: sentrycs.com
Link: https://sentrycs.com/glossary/directed-energy-weapons-dew/Source snippet
Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s...
-
Source: defencesciencereview.com.pl
Title: pdf 216776 135052
Link: https://www.defencesciencereview.com.pl/pdf-216776-135052?filename=Laser-Based-[Directed-EnerSource snippet
DEFENCE SCIENCE REVIEWby A Karkadakattil · 2026 · Cited by 1 — Objectives: This review aims to evaluate the current capabilities of laser...
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Source: GOV.UK
Title: boost for armed forces as new laser weapon takes down high speed drones
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-for-armed-forces-as-new-laser-weapon-takes-down-high-speed-dronesSource snippet
Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down...20 Nov 2025 — This new £316 million contract award - and news that DragonFire ha...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Dragon Fire (weapon)
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonFire_%28weapon%29Source snippet
DragonFire (weapon)DragonFire is a British laser directed-energy weapon (LDEW) in development for the Royal Navy. It was first unveile...
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Source: airpower.airforce.gov.au
Title: Air and Space Power Centre Directed Energy Weapons
Link: https://airpower.airforce.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/BPAF03_Directed-Energy-Weapons.pdfSource snippet
Air and Space Power CentreDirected Energy Weapons - Air and Space Power CentreMarch 26, 2020 — Laser energy can be used to attack targets...
Published: March 26, 2020
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: SEQ 3 Laser Weapon System
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SEQ-3_Laser_Weapon_SystemSource snippet
AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon SystemThe AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System or XN-1 LaWS is a laser weapon developed by the United States Navy. The w...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical dazzler and Surveillance
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Energy_Laser_with_Integrated_Optical-dazzler_and_SurveillanceSource snippet
Navy plans to use HELIOS as an early test into integrated shipborne directed-energy weapons in its surface fleet, hoping to develop their...
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Source: lockheedmartin.com
Link: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/directed-energy.htmlSource snippet
Directed Energy | Lockheed MartinWe're meeting customer challenges with innovation, designing and delivering the next generation of rugge...
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Source: twz.com
Title: [uss preble]({{ ‘preble-test-2ed0d5/’ | relative_url }}) used helios laser to zap four drones in expanding testing
Link: https://www.twz.com/sea/uss-preble-used-helios-laser-to-zap-four-drones-in-expanding-testingSource snippet
Navy... energy laser directed energy weapons on other ships...Read more...
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Source: uk.leonardo.com
Link: https://uk.leonardo.com/en/innovation/dragonfireSource snippet
Laser Directed Energy Weapon - Leonardo UKThe DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system achieved the UK's first high-power...
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Source: science.gc.ca
Title: directed energy weapons
Link: https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/emerging-technology-trend-cards/directed-energy-weaponsSource snippet
11 Feb 2025 — Directed energy weapons (DEWs) use concentrated energy from electromagnetic or particle technology, rather than kinetic ene...
Additional References
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/theministryofdefence/posts/dragonfire-is-a-highly-advanced-laser-directed-energy-weapon-designed-and-built-/1311999830970481/Source snippet
DragonFire is a highly advanced laser directed energy...UK tests DragonFire, a laser weapon that can hit drones from miles away, at a co...
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Source: x.com
Link: https://x.com/DefenceHQ/status/1991483331892982192Source snippet
DragonFire is a laser directed energy weapon...It can hit a target the size of a £1 coin from a kilometre away, costs only £10 a shot, a...
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/19crko7/dragonfire_laser_uk_successfully_tests_weapon_as/Source snippet
DragonFire laser: UK successfully tests weapon as low-...The DragonFire weapon is precise enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away...
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Source: instagram.com
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWMmMw9jfkT/?hl=enSource snippet
UK DEVELOPS DRAGONFIRE LASER DEFENSE SYSTEM...This weapon fires at the speed of light and each shot costs less than a coffee. The UK has...
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Source: onr.navy.mil
Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-cdew-and-high-energy-lasersSource snippet
Directed Energy Weapons and High Energy LasersNavy DEWs include systems that use high-energy lasers (HEL) that emit photons, and high-pow...
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Source: reuters.com
Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-beefs-up-royal-navy-[counter-droneSource snippet
This initiative is part of Britain's efforts to enhance its naval defenses, particularly against drone threats. The DragonFire system is...
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Source: navalnews.com
Link: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/u-s-navy-helios-laser-test-underscores-greater-advancements-in-directed-energy-weapons/Source snippet
Navy HELIOS laser test underscores greater...4 Feb 2025 — The US Navy's High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillanc...
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Source: twz.com
Link: https://www.twz.com/news-features/containerized-variant-of-navys-drone-swatting-helios-laser-being-pushed-by-congressSource snippet
Containerized Variant Of Navy's Drone-Swatting HELIOS...29 May 2026 — HELIOS is the only laser able to down drones installed on an activ...
Published: May 2026
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg2IuPKqvt4Source snippet
DragonFire: New declassified footage of £10-a-shot laser...A military laser that could give the UK military greater accuracy and cost on...
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Source: lvivherald.com
Title: the british dragonfire laser and the long arc of directed energy weapons
Link: https://www.lvivherald.com/post/the-british-dragonfire-laser-and-the-long-arc-of-directed-energy-weaponsSource snippet
The British Dragonfire laser, and the Long Arc of Directed...11 Feb 2026 — In November 2025 the United Kingdom awarded MBDA a £316 milli...
Published: November 2025
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