Within Layered Defence
When Should Lasers Save the Missiles?
Lasers change the cost of drone defence most when they preserve scarce interceptors for larger or harder threats.
On this page
- The drone cost problem for defenders
- Which threats still justify interceptors
- How commanders ration shots during raids
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Introduction
Lasers are most valuable in modern air defence not when they replace missiles, but when they prevent missiles from being wasted. The central problem facing defenders is economic as much as technical: inexpensive drones and loitering munitions can force defenders to expend scarce and costly interceptors. In a layered defence network, lasers allow commanders to reserve missile inventories for threats that genuinely require them, such as cruise missiles, larger aircraft, or targets operating beyond a laser’s effective envelope. This approach improves both affordability and endurance during prolonged attacks, while recognising that lasers still face limits imposed by weather, range, line-of-sight, power generation and target characteristics. [RAND Corporation+2GAO]rand.orgdirected energy the focus on laser weapons intensifiesRAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d…
The Drone-Cost Problem for Defenders
The strongest operational argument for laser weapons is not that they are superior to missiles in every circumstance. It is that they change the defender’s cost equation.
Many recent conflicts have demonstrated how attackers can launch large numbers of relatively cheap drones, forcing defenders to respond with interceptors that may cost orders of magnitude more. Analysts increasingly describe this as a magazine-management problem. Missile stocks are finite, production rates are limited, and replenishment during conflict can be difficult. [EPC]epc.euthe new economics of warfareThe new economics of warfare9 Mar 2026 — Invest heavily in cost-effective counter-drone technologies. Shooting multi-million-euro inte…
Laser systems offer a different model. Once deployed and supplied with power, they can engage targets without consuming physical ammunition. Modern defence programmes routinely emphasise extremely low engagement costs compared with missile interceptors, making lasers particularly attractive against small drones, loitering munitions and other low-cost aerial threats. [National Defense Magazine+2Tom's Hardware]nationaldefensemagazine.orggovernment perspective directed energy in air base defense can save the arsenalNational Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the Arsenal11 Aug 2025 — Directed energy weapons, including high-en…
The result is a simple command principle: if a threat can be defeated reliably with a laser, using a missile may represent a poor allocation of resources. Every missile not fired at a small drone remains available for a threat that cannot be handled by directed energy.
Which Threats Still Justify Interceptors?
The decision to save missiles only works if commanders clearly understand when missiles remain the better option.
Several categories of threat continue to favour interceptor use:
- Long-range threats. Missiles can engage targets well beyond the practical range of most fielded laser systems and can pursue targets over the horizon. [GAO]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — They also generally have a shorter range than conventional weapons, and…
- Poor-weather engagements. Fog, rain, dust and atmospheric turbulence can reduce laser effectiveness and increase engagement times. Missiles are generally less vulnerable to these specific limitations. [GAO]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — They also generally have a shorter range than conventional weapons, and…
- High-speed or heavily protected targets. Larger cruise missiles, sophisticated aircraft and hardened targets may require the destructive mechanisms and reach provided by kinetic interceptors. [Defence Science Review]com.plpdf 216776 135052DEW) neutralizes UAVs and loitering munitions with precise laser engagement. Surface-to-. Air Missiles (SAM) are …Read more
- Targets outside line of sight. Laser systems require an unobstructed path to the target, while missile systems can often engage threats that are geographically masked or manoeuvring beyond direct visibility. [GAO]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — They also generally have a shorter range than conventional weapons, and…
This distinction explains why leading military programmes continue to present lasers as additions to existing missile-defence architectures rather than replacements. Israel’s Iron Beam, for example, is designed to operate alongside established missile layers rather than substitute for them entirely. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgdirected energy the focus on laser weapons intensifiesRAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d…
How Commanders Ration Shots During Raids
The practical value of lasers becomes clearest during saturation attacks.
Imagine a raid involving dozens of small drones mixed with a handful of higher-priority threats. If every contact receives a missile engagement, interceptor inventories can be depleted rapidly. A commander who has access to directed energy gains another option.
A common engagement hierarchy looks like this:
- Detect and classify incoming threats.
- Assign lasers against drones and other suitable low-cost targets.
- Reserve missile interceptors for cruise missiles, larger unmanned aircraft, or threats that survive earlier layers.
- Retain guns and close-in systems as a final defensive measure.
This approach is not merely about saving money. It preserves combat endurance. A force that expends its missile inventory defeating dozens of small drones may become vulnerable when more dangerous targets arrive later in the attack sequence. RAND analysts have highlighted precisely this inventory-preservation role as one of the most important strategic advantages of directed-energy weapons. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgdirected energy the focus on laser weapons intensifiesRAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d…
The concept also helps explain why military planners frequently discuss “deep magazines” when describing laser systems. Their value lies less in replacing existing weapons than in providing a large volume of affordable engagements before scarce kinetic stocks must be used. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
The Emerging Layered-Defence Model
Recent laser programmes illustrate how this philosophy is becoming operational practice.
The United Kingdom’s DragonFire programme has been promoted partly on the basis that low-cost laser engagements can counter drone threats without consuming expensive missile inventories. Trials demonstrated successful engagements against fast-moving drones, while official planning continues to place the system within broader naval air-defence architectures rather than as a standalone replacement for missile systems. [Tom's Hardware+2Reuters]tomshardware.comuk confirms dragonfire laser weapon for royal navy destroyers by 2027This follows a £316 million ($414 million) contract awarded to MBDA UK for the first two production units. DragonFire, a 50 kW-class lase…
Similarly, Israel’s Iron Beam has been developed as an additional layer supporting existing missile-defence systems. The objective is not to eliminate kinetic interceptors but to reduce pressure on them by handling suitable short-range threats at far lower cost. [RAND Corporation]rand.orgdirected energy the focus on laser weapons intensifiesRAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d…
Even ambitious programmes pursuing higher-power lasers for cruise-missile defence continue to describe them as components within layered defensive networks. Defence planners generally expect future air-defence systems to combine sensors, electronic warfare, lasers, guns and missiles rather than rely exclusively on any one technology. [Tom's Hardware+2The Strategist]tomshardware.comThe JLWS is a containerized high-energy laser system intended to neutralize cruise missiles and other advanced threats. Designed to scale…
The Key Decision: Replace the Shot or Preserve the Magazine?
The most important implementation question is not whether a laser can destroy a target. It is whether using a laser produces a better overall allocation of defensive resources.
When facing inexpensive drones inside a laser’s effective envelope, the answer is often yes. A successful laser engagement removes the threat while preserving interceptor stocks for later phases of the battle. When facing long-range, fast, heavily protected or weather-obscured threats, missiles still provide capabilities that directed energy cannot yet consistently match. [GAO+2Defence Science Review]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — They also generally have a shorter range than conventional weapons, and…
In practice, the strongest contribution of laser weapons is therefore not missile replacement. It is missile conservation. By handling the growing volume of low-cost aerial threats, lasers help ensure that limited interceptor inventories remain available for the targets that truly require them. [RAND Corporation+2EPC]rand.orgdirected energy the focus on laser weapons intensifiesRAND CorporationDirected Energy: The Focus on Laser Weapons IntensifiesJanuary 25, 2024 — 25 Jan 2024 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d…
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Endnotes
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Source: rand.org
Title: directed energy the focus on laser weapons intensifies
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 — Beam laser weapon to help shoot d...
Published: January 25, 2024
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Source: gao.gov
Title: gao 23 106717
Link: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106717Source snippet
Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — They also generally have a shorter range than conventional weapons, and...
Published: May 2023
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Source: epc.eu
Title: the new economics of warfare
Link: https://www.epc.eu/publication/the-new-economics-of-warfare/Source snippet
The new economics of warfare9 Mar 2026 — Invest heavily in cost-effective counter-drone technologies. Shooting multi-million-euro inte...
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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...
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Source: reuters.com
Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-beefs-up-royal-navy-counter-drone-tech-with-413-mln-laser-contract-2025-11-20/Source 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: gao.gov
Title: gao 23 105868
Link: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105868Source snippet
Directed Energy Weapons: DOD Should Focus on...17 Apr 2023 — The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing directed energy wea...
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Source: gao.gov
Link: https://www.gao.gov/assets/830/825926.pdf -
Source: gao.gov
Link: https://www.gao.gov/video/directed-energy-weapons-dod-should-focus-transition-planningSource snippet
Directed Energy Weapons DOD Should Focus on Transition...DOD spends about $1 billion annually on directed energy--concentrated electroma...
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Source: aspistrategist.org.au
Title: war at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weapons
Link: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/war-at-the-speed-of-light-the-emerging-role-of-directed-energy-weapons/Source snippet
The report explores current efforts...Read more...
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Source: nationaldefensemagazine.org
Title: government perspective directed energy in air base defense can save the arsenal
Link: https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/8/11/government-perspective-directed-energy-in-air-base-defense-can-save-the-arsenalSource snippet
National Defense MagazineDirected Energy in Air Base Defense Can Save the Arsenal11 Aug 2025 — Directed energy weapons, including high-en...
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Source: tomshardware.com
Title: uk confirms dragonfire laser weapon for royal navy destroyers by 2027
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/uk-confirms-dragonfire-laser-weapon-for-royal-navy-destroyers-by-2027Source snippet
This follows a £316 million ($414 million) contract awarded to MBDA UK for the first two production units. DragonFire, a 50 kW-class lase...
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Source: defencesciencereview.com.pl
Title: pdf 216776 135052
Link: https://www.defencesciencereview.com.pl/pdf-216776-135052?filename=Laser-Based-[Directed-EnerSource snippet
(DEW) neutralizes UAVs and loitering munitions with precise laser engagement. Surface-to-. Air Missiles (SAM) are...Read more...
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Source: tomshardware.com
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/pentagon-budget-documents-reveal-its-pursuing-containerized-300kw-laser-weapons-ambitious-joint-laser-weapon-system-designed-to-shoot-down-cruise-missiles-system-part-of-usd17-9-billion-golden-dome-missile-defense-initiativeSource snippet
The JLWS is a containerized high-energy laser system intended to neutralize cruise missiles and other advanced threats. Designed to scale...
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Source: tomshardware.com
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/100kw-iron-beam-laser-becomes-worlds-first-drone-defense-zapper-to-be-operationally-deployed-it-can-also-shoot-down-rockets-mortars-and-other-aerial-threatsSource snippet
The high-energy laser, developed through a collaboration of government, military, scientific, and commercial sectors, is intended to bols...
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Source: lockheedmartin.com
Link: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/directed-energy.htmlSource snippet
Directed Energy | Lockheed MartinExperience the potential of our laser weapons and directed energy weapon technologies, providing afforda...
Additional References
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Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/401707891_Cost-Effectiveness_Analysis_of_Counter-Unmanned_Aircraft_Systems_Technologies_A_Comparative_Study_of_Kinetic_Electronic_Warfare_and_Directed_Energy_Countermeasures_2022-2026Source snippet
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft...9 Mar 2026 — Results revealed that cost-per-engagement (CPE) varies by more t...
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Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403676537Laser-Based_Directed_Energy_Weapons_Technological_Capabilities_Material_Interaction_and_Strategic[DeploymentSource snippet
(PDF) Laser-Based Directed Energy Weapons12 Apr 2026 — This review aims to evaluate the current capabilities of laser-based Directed Ener...
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Counter-UAS 101 – Drone Defeat and Kinetic MitigationThat effort spans gun-based systems firing programmable airburst munitions at $150–7...
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Source: aeromorning.com
Link: https://aeromorning.com/en/directed-energy-counter-drone-rf-vs-laser-drone-hardening/Source snippet
Directed-Energy Counter-Drone: RF vs Laser...4 days ago — Comparison of counter-drone directed-energy systems: RF RapidDestroyer vs MBDA...
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ISRAEL'S $2 LASER VS $4M MISSILES...Important Details: • Laser interception cost ≈ $2 • Patriot missile cost ≈ $4 million • Designed for...
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Source: drillanddefense.com
Link: https://drillanddefense.com/laser-weapons-the-new-layer-in-modern-air-defense/Source snippet
Laser Weapons: The New Layer in Modern Air DefenseLaser weapons are becoming part of modern air defense, especially against drones and lo...
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Source: csbaonline.org
Link: https://csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/CSBA_ChangingTheGame_ereader.pdfSource snippet
The Promise of Directed-Energy Weaponsby M GUNZINGER · Cited by 53 — The goal of the HELLADS program is to develop a 150 kilowatt (kW) la...
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Source: lexingtoninstitute.org
Link: https://lexingtoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/directed-energy-weapons.pdfSource snippet
such as the Airborne Laser and various tactical lasers are potentially applicable to bal- listic-missile defense, defense against air-bre...
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Published: May 2026
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