General Atomics has unveiled a laser-equipped MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone capable of shooting down small drones and missiles mid-air.

Debuted at Sea Air Space 2025, the 25-kilowatt laser can be scaled up to 300 kilowatts, potentially taking down larger targets.

The system offers a cost-effective, precise alternative to traditional missile defenses and is designed for use in various environments, the Daily Mail has reported.

While power supply limits remain a challenge, the technology marks a major step forward in airborne high-energy laser (HEL) defense, especially amid rising threats from drone swarms like those used in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Written by B.C. Begley