In response to rising fears of a potential World War III, American weapons manufacturer General Atomics has launched a groundbreaking technology that equips covert spy drones with lethal lasers capable of melting missiles mid-air.

At the “Sea Air Space 2025” exhibition in National Harbor, Maryland, General Atomics introduced its latest defense innovation by outfitting the MQ-9B SkyGuardian an automated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drone with this advanced laser system.

The laser currently operates at approximately 25 kilowatts, sufficient to incapacitate or destroy small targets. This capability enables the U.S. military to effectively neutralize swarms of low-cost, disposable drones.

General Atomics has stated that the power of the laser can be scaled up to 300 kilowatts, which would allow it to melt the critical structures of larger aircraft and missiles.

The system can emit energy either continuously or in pulses, maintaining effectiveness across various weather conditions.

During the exhibition, a video demonstrated the MQ-9B successfully destroying Iranian-made Shahed-style “Kamikaze” drones that were approaching a naval vessel.

A key advantage of this technology is that the laser beam is not easily destroyed, allowing it to inflict continuous damage as long as energy is supplied. However, a significant limitation is the drone’s restricted energy storage, which may impact the laser’s performance in combat situations.

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The MQ-9B drone can fly for up to 40 hours on a single charge, but the addition of the laser may reduce its flight time, with final details still pending.

This development represents a major step forward in making high-energy lasers (HEL) viable for air defense. Previously, the U.S. Air Force’s “Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator” program was terminated in 2024 without any successful prototypes or test flights, but it contributed significantly to advancements in airborne laser technology that may influence current innovations.

This announcement comes at a crucial time, as the use of inexpensive, fast attack drones and “kamikaze-style” assaults is increasing in Ukraine and the Middle East. Between August 1, 2024, and March 1, Ukraine reported 15,011 attacks by Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia.

In this context, lasers provide a more effective, accurate, and cost-efficient solution compared to traditional, slower missiles.