The development of the U.S. Army in the field of energy-directed weapons has been a transition from science fiction to the current battlefield.
The Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DEM-SHORAD) system, a 50-kilowatt-class laser weapon mounted on a Stryker leading the way, is one of the most significant technological advancements in the history of war-fighting technology.
The system is designed to eliminate threats that have grown rapidly, such as drones, rockets, artillery, and mortars, and is considered an engineering breakthrough—actually, it is the preview of the wars of the future.
The speed of development is what makes DE M-SHORAD stand out. It took the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, and its industry partners, barely two years to take the promise of high-energy lasers and transform it into a fully integrated combat-ready system on Stryker vehicles, whereas this was the creation of a completely new capability, designed to shield divisions and brigade combat teams from the modern aerial and indirect fire threats.
Soldiers have been instrumental in getting DE M-SHORAD into the field. The 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (4-60th ADAR) at Fort Sill was the Army’s first tactical directed energy unit and assisted in creating the system’s tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Training started out in simulators and on surrogate vehicles and then moved to the actual vehicles, allowing crews to learn how to work with the unusual requirements of laser weapon operation.
In a more classic case of user innovation, soldiers even suggested utilizing commercial gaming controllers to control the system—a proposal the Army went along with. Live-fire testing has been equally crucial as lab work. In one operational test, the 4-60th ADAR engaged more than 50 simulated drone threats under realistic conditions, fully integrated with current base defense systems.
Ongoing feedback between the troops in the field and engineers developing the weapon has been critical, allowing each lesson to feed directly into the next version of the system and its doctrine.
In combat, DE M-SHORAD revolutionizes the game of short-range air defense. It can shoot at the speed of light and continue shooting as long as there’s power, so it’s particularly deadly against drone swarms and incoming missiles.
It’s a lot cheaper than missiles per shot, and it’s simpler to logistically support—no moving heavy rounds or resupplying interceptors.
But the Army is pragmatic about the challenges that lie ahead. Lasers are subject to weather, range restrictions, and target type. A recent Government Accountability Office analysis determined that the system is “not mature enough” for mass production, prompting a stop in procurement and a reevaluation of deployment timelines.
Incorporating DE M-SHORAD into existing air defense networks also requires rewriting doctrine, revising training, and changing organizational structures—efforts still underway.
Despite this, having the first DE M-SHORAD prototype in the Fort Sill Museum serves as a testament to how far the technology has developed.
This is merely the beginning. As the Army continues to hone the system, train its operators, and incorporate it into broader defense plans, lessons learned will inform the next generation of air defense—and indicate that the laser age of war isn’t on the horizon anymore. It’s already here.