Within Deep Magazine
Why Deep Magazines Do Not Defeat Every Swarm
Large numbers of targets can saturate a laser defence even when ammunition is effectively unlimited.
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- Dwell time versus target numbers
- Tracking demands during mass attacks
- When layered defence becomes necessary
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Introduction
A deep magazine is one of the most attractive features of a laser-based directed energy weapon. Unlike missile launchers, a laser does not normally run out of interceptors after a fixed number of shots. Yet a large drone swarm can still overwhelm a laser defence. The reason is simple: engagement capacity is determined not only by ammunition but also by time. Each drone must be detected, tracked, illuminated and damaged for long enough to achieve a kill. If new targets arrive faster than the system can process them, the defender becomes saturated even though electrical power remains available. This creates a paradox at the heart of modern counter-drone warfare: a weapon with effectively unlimited shots can still be defeated by sufficient target density. [GAO]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed of…
Dwell Time Versus Target Numbers
The central constraint is dwell time—the period during which a laser must remain focused on a vulnerable point of a target to produce damage. Unlike a missile, which can be launched and then fly independently, a laser generally occupies the engagement channel throughout the attack sequence. The beam cannot simultaneously spend full dwell time on dozens of separate drones. [LinkedIn]linkedin.comDefining the Future of Laser-Based Directed-Energy…Furthermore, the dwell time required (the seconds a laser must stay on a sp…
In practical terms, every target consumes a slice of defensive capacity. If a laser requires several seconds to burn through a drone’s structure, blind a sensor, or damage critical electronics, then a swarm containing tens or hundreds of drones can rapidly create a queue of pending engagements. Researchers modelling directed-energy defence against unmanned aerial vehicle swarms identify dwell time as one of the key variables determining the probability that at least one attacker penetrates the defence. As swarm size grows, the engagement burden grows with it. [Sage Journals]journals.sagepub.comSage JournalsEffect of dwell time, distance, and reflecting area on UAV…9 Jul 2025 — This paper is concerned with the operational effe…
This means that magazine depth and engagement rate are different concepts:
- Magazine depth concerns how many shots can be fired before resources are exhausted.
- Engagement rate concerns how many targets can be defeated per minute.
- Swarm saturation occurs when target arrival exceeds engagement rate.
A laser may score hundreds of engagements over an extended period yet still fail against a dense attack compressed into a short time window. The bottleneck is throughput rather than ammunition. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
Why More Drones Create More Than a Linear Problem
A common assumption is that doubling the number of drones merely doubles the defensive workload. In reality, dense swarms often impose disproportionate demands because the weapon system must continuously allocate sensing, tracking and beam-control resources.
Every engagement requires accurate target tracking. Naval directed-energy programmes emphasise specialised high-frame-rate tracking sensors because maintaining beam placement on manoeuvring targets is essential for achieving damage. If many drones approach simultaneously from different directions, the tracking challenge expands alongside the shooting challenge. [Office of Naval Research]onr.navy.milOffice of Naval ResearchCounter Directed Energy Weapons and High Energy LasersThe intent is to increase accuracy in all weather condition…
Dense swarms can also exploit geometry. A laser can rapidly redirect its beam, but it still engages one aimpoint at a time. Widely dispersed targets force repeated retargeting and reacquisition cycles. Closely packed targets may complicate discrimination and prioritisation. In either case, the defensive system spends time managing the engagement rather than simply firing. Research on dynamic target assignment for high-energy laser defence against UAV swarms highlights the growing complexity of allocating limited laser resources across many simultaneous threats. [MDPI]mdpi.comDynamic Resource Target Assignment Problem for Laser…by W Liu · 2025 · Cited by 2 — The Dynamic Resource Target Assignment (DRTA)…
The result is that swarm density attacks the entire kill chain:
- Detection and classification loads increase.
- Tracking channels become heavily tasked.
- Fire-control decisions multiply.
- Laser dwell time accumulates across many targets.
- Some drones inevitably remain unengaged while others are being serviced.
The deeper the swarm, the more likely that a fraction survives long enough to reach defended assets. [Sage Journals]journals.sagepub.comSage JournalsEffect of dwell time, distance, and reflecting area on UAV…9 Jul 2025 — This paper is concerned with the operational effe…
Real-World Evidence From Counter-Drone Programmes
Recent demonstrations show both the promise and the limitation of laser defence. Systems such as DragonFire, HELIOS and LOCUST have successfully tracked and destroyed multiple drones while benefiting from extremely low cost per shot and the absence of conventional reload cycles. [Tom's Hardware+2Tom's Hardware]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…
However, these demonstrations also illustrate the distinction between defeating multiple drones and defeating arbitrarily large swarms. Public reporting frequently highlights successful engagements against several targets, but operational analysis continues to identify mass attacks as a key challenge. The need for sustained illumination, target tracking and resource allocation remains even when electrical power is plentiful. Government and defence assessments consistently describe directed-energy weapons as promising but not unconstrained solutions. [GAO+2GAO]gao.govgao 23 105868Directed Energy Weapons: DOD Should Focus on…Apr 17, 2023 — The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing directed energy…
Academic work examining swarm defeat probabilities similarly treats swarm size, dwell time and engagement duration as critical variables. As the attacking population grows, the likelihood that one or more drones penetrate the defensive envelope increases unless additional defensive capacity is added. [Sage Journals]journals.sagepub.comSage JournalsEffect of dwell time, distance, and reflecting area on UAV…9 Jul 2025 — This paper is concerned with the operational effe…
When Layered Defence Becomes Necessary
This throughput problem explains why militaries rarely present lasers as a standalone answer to drone swarms. Instead, they are increasingly viewed as one layer within a broader defensive architecture. [Sentrycs]sentrycs.comDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Directed Energy Weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable drones. Learn how HEL lasers and HPM s…
Lasers are highly attractive for engaging individual drones and small groups because each shot costs very little and does not consume scarce missiles. Yet when the threat becomes extremely dense, other systems may be required to reduce the number of targets that demand individual laser engagements.
One increasingly discussed complement is the high-power microwave weapon. Whereas a laser generally focuses energy on a single target at a time, microwave systems can affect multiple electronic targets within a broader area, making them particularly attractive against concentrated swarms. The United Kingdom’s radio-frequency weapon trials against drone swarms and wider defence interest in high-power microwave technologies reflect this search for area-effect solutions to saturation attacks. [GOV.UK+2The Strategist]gov.ukbritish soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking use of radio wave weaponBritish soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking …17 Apr 2025 — British soldiers have successfully tracked, targeted and defeat…
Layered defence therefore addresses different parts of the problem:
- Lasers provide low-cost, precise engagements and deep magazines.
- Missiles and guns offer rapid kill mechanisms against selected threats.
- Microwave systems may reduce large groups simultaneously.
- Integrated sensors and command systems help prioritise targets before the engagement queue becomes unmanageable.
The goal is not merely to increase ammunition supply but to increase total defensive throughput. [The Strategist+2GOV.UK]aspistrategist.org.aua counter to drone swarms high power microwave weaponsThe StrategistA counter to drone swarms: high-power microwave weapons12 May 2025 — HPM weapons work by emitting directed bursts of electr…
Deep Magazines Help, But Throughput Wins
The most important lesson from swarm saturation is that magazine depth solves only one part of the defence problem. Directed-energy weapons largely eliminate the traditional concern of running out of interceptors, but they do not eliminate the physics of target processing. Every drone still requires attention, tracking and usually a finite period of laser exposure. [GAO]gao.govgao 23 106717Science & Tech Spotlight: Directed Energy Weapons25 May 2023 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed of…
As swarm density increases, the decisive question shifts from “How many shots are available?” to “How many targets can be defeated before they arrive?” A laser with a virtually unlimited magazine can still be overwhelmed if the swarm generates engagement demand faster than the system can convert targets into kills. That is why deep magazines improve endurance, yet do not guarantee victory against every swarm. [LinkedIn+2Sage Journals]linkedin.comDefining the Future of Laser-Based Directed-Energy…Furthermore, the dwell time required (the seconds a laser must stay on a sp…
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Further Reading
Books and field guides related to Why Deep Magazines Do Not Defeat Every Swarm. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
Directed Energy Weapons
Provides the technical foundation behind laser dwell time, beam effects, and engagement constraints.
Army of None
Explores autonomy, scale, and massed robotic systems that underpin modern swarm warfare concepts.
The Kill Chain
Examines sensor-to-shooter timelines, saturation challenges, and modern air-defense pressures relevant to defeating swarms.
Countermeasures for Aerial Drones
Addresses drone threats, counter-drone systems, and the challenge of defending against large numbers of unmanned aircraft.
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Endnotes
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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 — Directed energy weapons—such as lasers—use energy fired at the speed of...
Published: May 2023
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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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Defining the Future of Laser-Based Directed-Energy...Furthermore, the dwell time required (the seconds a laser must stay on a sp...
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Source: mdpi.com
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/8/729Source snippet
Dynamic Resource Target Assignment Problem for Laser...by W Liu · 2025 · Cited by 2 — The Dynamic Resource Target Assignment (DRTA)...
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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...Apr 17, 2023 — The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently developing directed energy...
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Source: GOV.UK
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-soldiers-take-down-[drone-swarmSource snippet
British soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking...17 Apr 2025 — British soldiers have successfully tracked, targeted and defeat...
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Source: gao.gov
Link: https://www.gao.gov/assets/830/825926.pdfSource snippet
Directed Energy WeaponsDirected energy weapons (DEW) use concentrated electromagnetic energy to combat enemy forces and assets. These wea...
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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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Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/technical-evolution-operational-integration-light-based-robi-sen-hhdocSource snippet
Technical Evolution and Operational Integration of Directed...Developed by AeroVironment, the LOCUST Laser Weapon System is a modular, p...
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Source: journals.sagepub.com
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15485129251340992Source snippet
Sage JournalsEffect of dwell time, distance, and reflecting area on UAV...9 Jul 2025 — This paper is concerned with the operational effe...
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Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-cdew-and-high-energy-lasersSource snippet
Office of Naval ResearchCounter Directed Energy Weapons and High Energy LasersThe intent is to increase accuracy in all weather condition...
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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...
-
Source: tomshardware.com
Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/us-navy-tests-laser-weapon-that-shoots-down-drones-on-the-uss-george-h-w-bush-supercarrier-system-tracked-engaged-and-neutralized-multiple-target-drones-has-essentially-unlimited-power-sourceSource snippet
Bush supercarrier - 'system tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple target drones,' has essentially unlimited power sourceThe U.S. Nav...
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Source: aspistrategist.org.au
Title: a counter to drone swarms high power microwave weapons
Link: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-counter-to-drone-swarms-high-power-microwave-weapons/Source snippet
The StrategistA counter to drone swarms: high-power microwave weapons12 May 2025 — HPM weapons work by emitting directed bursts of electr...
Published: May 2025
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Source: aspistrategist.org.au
Title: war at the speed of light the emerging role of directed energy weapons
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For example, atmospheric effects can...Read more...
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Title: laser trailblazer navy conducts historic test of new laser weapon system
Link: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2998829/laser-trailblazer-navy-conducts-historic-test-of-new-laser-weapon-system/Source snippet
Navy Conducts Historic Test of New Laser Weapon System13 Apr 2022 — The February demonstration marked the first time the US Navy used an...
Additional References
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(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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Rain, fog, and dust can scatter laser beams. These systems demand enormous power supplies. And unlike a bullet, a laser beam...Read more...
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Title: us gao report directed energy weapon technical maturity levels still lagging
Link: https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-and-policies/us-gao-report-directed-energy-weapon-technical-maturity-levels-still-lagging/Source snippet
directed energy weapon technical maturity levels still laggingUS GAO report: directed energy weapon technical maturity levels still lagging...
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Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEdgipGA6L0Source snippet
America Has Unveiled a New UAV-Catching Energy CannonUncover the terrifying story of The Locust X3 — a bizarre machine shrouded in myster...
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Title: Directed Energy Weapons in Counter Drone Missile Defense
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Directed Energy Weapons in CounterDrone Missile DefenseMay 4, 2026 — The high-energy lasers that are being used to defeat any aerial thre...
Published: May 4, 2026
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Source: laserwars.net
Title: missile defense agency directed energy laser weapons
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The US Military Wants Laser-Armed Drones for Domestic...Apr 20, 2026 — The US military is once again pursuing flying directed energy wea...
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Title: army partners with air forces [thor]({{ ‘thor/’ | relative_url }}) for base defense
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partners with Air Force's THOR for base defenseFeb 23, 2021 — THOR is a prototype directed energy weapon used to disable the electronics...
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Source: laserwars.net
Title: navy helios laser weapon drones testing questions
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The Lingering Questions About the Navy's Chief...9 Feb 2026 — The US Navy's High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Survei...
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, demonstrating the growing effectiveness of directed-energy...Read more...
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