A recent report from Forbes, citing the U.S. Army, reveals that the U.S. military has been utilizing drones to counter enemy drones in the Middle East, marking the first official acknowledgment of such tactics by the Pentagon.

Doug Bush, head of acquisitions for the U.S. Army, noted that lasers have proven effective “in some cases” against certain threats, albeit without providing specific details.

While the type of laser weapons employed remains undisclosed, it is speculated to be the P-HEL.

Though the targeted adversaries are unspecified, it is presumed to be the Houthis, who have been deploying drones to disrupt maritime traffic in the Red Sea, Gizmodo has reported.

The U.S. military’s use of lasers offers a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional missile interception methods.

Despite the significant development costs associated with these weapons, the military has been exploring directed energy technology since the 1960s, with early successful tests conducted as early as 1973.

Written by B.C. Begley