A laser weapon is a type of directed-energy weapon (DEW) that uses lasers to inflict damage. Laser weapons are of two types: low-power laser dazzlers that blind optical systems or human eyes, and high-power lasers that can physically damage or destroy targets, such as enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

One of the major issues with laser weapons is atmospheric thermal blooming, which is still largely unsolved. This issue is exacerbated when there is fog, smoke, dust, rain, snow, smog, foam, or purposely dispersed obscurant chemicals present. In essence, a laser generates a beam of light that requires clear air or a vacuum to operate.

Low-power lasers have the potential to serve as non-lethal weapons. They can cause temporary or permanent vision loss. The extent, nature, and duration of visual impairment depend on factors including the laser's power, wavelength(s), beam collimation and orientation, and duration of exposure. Lasers with a power output of less than one watt can cause permanent vision loss. The Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons bans weapons designed to cause permanent blindness. Weapons designed to cause temporary blindness, known as dazzlers, are in a separate category. Multiple incidents of pilots exposed to lasers while flying have been recorded.

High-power laser weapons capable of damaging or destroying a target are experimental as of 2026. The use of laser-beam weaponry to destroy aerial targets has been under development for years. The United States Navy tested short-range (1 mile), 30-kW Laser Weapon System or LaWS for use against targets such as small UAVs, rocket-propelled grenades, and visible motorboat or helicopter engines. A 60 kW system, HELIOS, was under development for destroyer-class ships . India's DRDO successfully tested a 30 kW DEW, designated Mk-II (A) DEW, in April 2025 which could disable drones at a range of 5 km.

Air defense systems DEW for the destruction of incoming missiles are under development. One example is Boeing Airborne Laser, deployed inside a Boeing 747 and designated as YAL-1. This system was designed to eliminate short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their boost phase. It was canceled in 2012.

Another system was studied under the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and successor programs. This project aimed to employ ground-based or space-based laser systems to destroy incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). However, various practical challenges, such as aiming a laser over a large distance through the atmosphere, complicated implementation. Optical scattering and refraction bent and distorted the beam, complicating aiming and reducing its efficiency.

A related concept was the nuclear-pumped X-ray laser, an orbiting atomic bomb surrounded by laser media in the form of glass rods. When a bomb detonated, the rods would be exposed to highly-energetic gamma-ray photons, causing spontaneous and stimulated emission of X-ray photons within the rod atoms. This process would result in optical amplification of the X-ray photons, generating an X-ray beam that was little affected by atmospheric distortion and capable of destroying ICBMs in flight. However, the X-ray laser became a single-use device, as it would destroy itself upon activation. Some initial tests were conducted with underground nuclear testing, but the results were not promising.

Iron Beam

Iron Beam is a laser-based air defense system which was unveiled at the Singapore Airshow on 11 February 2014"RAFAEL at Singapore Air Show 2014" (archived version) by Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The system is designed to destroy short-range rockets, artillery, and mortar bombs; it has a range of up to , too close for the Iron Dome system to intercept projectiles effectively.Israeli company to unveil laser defense | UTSanDiego.com In addition, the system could also intercept unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Iron Beam will constitute the sixth element of Israel's integrated air defense system, in addition to Arrow 2, Arrow 3, David's Sling, Barak 8, and Iron Dome.

Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to destroy an airborne target. Whether acting as a stand-alone system or with external cueing as part of an air-defense system, a threat is detected by a surveillance system and tracked by vehicle platforms in order to engage.

Iron Beam is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

Anti-drone systems

In the 21st century, several countries have developed anti-drone laser systems to counter the increasing threat of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These systems are designed to detect, track, and destroy drones using high-powered lasers, offering a cost-effective and flexible solution for airspace protection.

In the United States, Lockheed Martin demonstrated the capabilities of its ATHENA laser system in 2017, which uses a 30-kilowatt ALADIN laser to target and destroy UAVs. Another American company, Raytheon, developed the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) in 2019, which is capable of detecting and destroying drones at a distance of up to three kilometers.

Turkey has also invested in the development of laser weapons, with companies like Roketsan producing the ALKA system, which combines laser and electromagnetic weapons to incapacitate and destroy single or group targets. Other Turkish companies, such as Aselsan and TUBITAK BILGEM, have also demonstrated laser systems capable of targeting small UAVs and explosive devices.

Germany is another leader in the development of combat laser systems, with defense company Rheinmetall working on stationary and mobile versions of its High Energy Laser (HEL) system since the 2000s. Rheinmetall's lasers are designed to protect against a variety of threats, including small and medium-sized UAVs, helicopters, missiles, mines, and artillery shells.

Israel has also been actively developing laser weapons, with companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems demonstrating the compact Drone Dome system in 2020, which is designed to destroy UAVs and their swarms. Another Israeli system, called Light Blade, was developed by OptiDefense to counter terrorist threats such as mini UAVs and explosive devices attached to balloons or kites.

First announced in December 2024, on April 13 2025, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces released the first footage of a laser weapon system, called “Tryzub”, in use destroying a fibre optic FPV drone. It is fitted into the back of a van and can be used against ground targets.

On 16 May 2025, Ukraine revealed a small laser turret called SlimBeam, fitted to a remote controlled weapon station, capable of blinding optical sensors at 2 km and destroying drones at 800 meters. It can be remotely operated by a web-based system to reduce the risk to the operators of enemy fire. It could also be used for sabotage by targeting various locks or other objects.

Electrolaser

An electrolaser first ionizes its target path, and then sends an electric current down the conducting track of ionized plasma, somewhat like lightning. It functions as a giant, high-energy, long-distance version of the Taser or stun gun.

Pulsed energy projectile

Pulsed Energy Projectile or PEP systems emit an infrared laser pulse which creates rapidly expanding plasma at the target. The resulting sound, shock and electromagnetic waves stun the target and cause pain and temporary paralysis. The weapon is under development and is intended as a non-lethal weapon in crowd control, though it can also be used as a lethal weapon.

Dazzler

A dazzler is a directed-energy weapon intended to temporarily blind or disorient its target with intense directed radiation. Targets can include sensors or human vision. Dazzlers emit infrared or invisible light against various electronic sensors, and visible light against humans, when they are intended to cause no long-term damage to eyes. The emitters are usually lasers, making what is termed a laser dazzler. Most of the contemporary systems are man-portable, and operate in either the red (a laser diode) or green (a diode-pumped solid-state laser, DPSS) areas of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Initially developed for military use, non-military products are becoming available for use in law enforcement and security.

The personnel halting and stimulation response rifle (PHASR) is a prototype non-lethal laser dazzler developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, U.S. Department of Defense.Eva D. Blaylock (Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate Public Affairs). New technology 'dazzles' aggressors, The Official Website of the U.S. Air Force, Posted 2 November 2005 Its purpose is to temporarily disorient and blind a target. Blinding laser weapons have been tested in the past, but were banned under the 1995 United Nations Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons, which the United States acceded to on 21 January 2009. The PHASR rifle, a low-intensity laser, is not prohibited under this regulation, as the blinding effect is intended to be temporary. It also uses a two-wavelength laser.PERSONNEL HALTING and STIMULATION RESPONSE (PHaSR) Fact Sheet, Air Force Research Laboratory, Office of Public Affairs, April 2006; Archived The PHASR was tested at Kirtland Air Force Base, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate in New Mexico. ZM-87 is a Chinese blinding laser weapon. PY132A is a Chinese anti-drone dazzler. Soviet laser pistol was a prototype weapon designed for cosmonauts. Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (AN/SEQ-4 ) is a U.S. laser to be field tested in 2019 on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

Operational use On 19 November 2025, British Defence Secretary John Healey, stated that the Russian intelligence-gathering vessel Yantar had entered the United Kingdom’s wider waters north of Scotland during the previous weeks, and was allegedly engaging in espionage and the mapping of UK's undersea cables. In response, the UK deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to monitor and track the ship, during which Yantar reportedly directed dazzler system lasers at British pilots. Healey described the Russian actions as "deeply dangerous", noting that this was the second visit of Yantar to UK waters in the same year, and warning that Britain was prepared to respond if the vessel attempted to travel further south.

Examples

Leading Western companies in the development of laser weapons have been Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Rheinmetall and MBDA.