The U.S. Army has marked a pivotal moment in modern warfare, successfully conducting the first operational live-fire test of its Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) system. Mounted on a Stryker 8×8 combat vehicle, this groundbreaking 50-kilowatt-class high-energy laser weapon, dubbed “Guardian,” engaged and defeated a swarm of unmanned aerial systems during an exercise at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
This landmark event marks a significant step in integrating directed energy weapons into frontline air defense capabilities. The DE M-SHORAD system, developed by Raytheon Technologies and managed by Kord Technologies, is powered by advanced lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries that are recharged by onboard diesel generators, ensuring sustained operational readiness.
The system is specifically engineered to counter a rapidly evolving array of aerial threats, including reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions, rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM). Its operational deployment highlights the Army’s strategic shift towards a layered defense approach, where laser-based systems will augment, rather than replace, traditional kinetic air defense assets. This integration offers a crucial advantage: a significantly lower cost per engagement compared to conventional interceptors, combined with unparalleled precision and virtually unlimited “ammunition.”
The ability to provide a constant defense against massed drone attacks with minimal logistical footprint is paramount in contemporary conflict zones. This low-cost, high-precision capability makes DE M-SHORAD a game-changer for protecting forward-deployed forces and critical infrastructure.
The successful testing at Fort Sill is a critical step forward, directly contributing to the Army’s Fiscal Year 2026 Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, which aims for full-scale deployment of such advanced directed energy systems. The “Guardian” represents a tangible manifestation of the U.S. military’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain air superiority and enhance force protection against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.