What types of directed-energy and acoustic weapons has the U.S. military publicly developed or tested?
Executive summary
The U.S. military has publicly developed and tested several categories of directed-energy weapons (DEWs)—notably high-energy lasers (HELs), high-power microwaves/radio frequency systems (HPM/HPRF), and acoustic/non-lethal sound systems—primarily for counter-drone, counter-surface, and defensive roles [1][2][3]. While prototypes and shipborne/ground demonstrations have moved into limited field trials, most systems remain in prototype, experimental, or early-transition phases with acquisition and operational challenges remaining [4][5].
1. High-energy lasers: shipboard and tactical battlefield systems
The Department of Defense and military services have publicly funded and tested solid-state and chemical laser systems—ranging from lower-power counter-UAS lasers to multi-hundred-kilowatt-class systems intended to defeat missiles—with demonstrations including the Navy’s Laser Weapons System (LaWS) and programs like the Army’s DE M-SHORAD and industry contracts for 300 kW-class lasers [3][6][7]. DOD and oversight reports note the focus is increasing HEL power levels from roughly 150 kW toward greater lethality against more challenging targets, while acknowledging thermal management, beam control, and operational sustainment are significant hurdles [5][8]. GAO and CRS reporting confirm that laser efforts are a top DE priority and that the services have tested multiple HEL prototypes since the mid-2010s, largely for counter-drone and short-range air-defense missions [1][4].
2. High-power microwaves and radio-frequency weapons: electronic disruption at range
Research and tests on high-power microwave (HPM) and high-power radio frequency (HPRF) technologies aim to disable electronics and sensors rather than produce kinetic damage, and the Office of Naval Research and other programs explicitly list HPM among CDEW research priorities to counter foreign HEL/HPRF threats [3][2]. GAO and defense science documents describe HPM as part of a portfolio the military is studying to affect unmanned systems and materiel targets, with past U.S. electromagnetic weapons used in conflicts to disrupt electronics, though specific operational deployments of new HPM systems are constrained by technical and policy challenges [1][9].
3. Acoustic and non-lethal directed-acoustic systems (LRAD and focused acoustics)
Acoustic hailing devices such as long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) have been fielded on ships and used for warning or area denial by creating intolerable sound levels, and defense S&T programs explicitly categorize focused acoustics as non-lethal directed-energy technologies under development [9][2]. Public reporting underscores that acoustic systems are principally non-lethal tools for crowd control, maritime interdiction, and deterrence rather than standoff lethal weapons, and there is no confirmed public evidence the U.S. has deployed novel “sonic” weapons in covert operations [10][2].
4. Exotic concepts: particle beams, plasma accelerators and legacy demonstrations
Historical and experimental work has included large-scale research into particle-beam concepts and plasma acceleration, exemplified by research efforts using capacitor banks like Shiva Star to accelerate plasma toroids—projects that have been tested in high-energy labs and discussed in open literature [9]. However, CRS, GAO, and DOD materials make clear that many of these exotic concepts remain experimental, with practical deployment far from assured and often hampered by physics, engineering, and logistics challenges [5][8].
5. Where development stands, and the politics of secrecy and hype
Congressional and GAO reviews report roughly $1 billion per year invested in DE research, numerous prototype tests since 2014, and institutional roadmaps coordinated by OUSD(R&E) to push HEL, HPM, and related tech toward transition, but both oversight bodies and military services warn of transition-to-acquisition gaps and sustainment issues that limit immediate operational rollout [4][5]. Independent coverage cautions that public attention and political messaging can conflate demonstrator success with deployed secret capabilities, and acknowledges the U.S. has not publicly confirmed use of novel directed-energy or acoustic weapons in sensitive covert operations—leaving space for both real classified programs and exaggerated claims in the public arena [10][1].