U.S. Army Tests Rifle-Mounted Laser to Disable Drones in New Battlefield Trials

(DailyAnswer.org) – President Trump’s military unleashes a game-changing rifle-mounted laser weapon, empowering American soldiers to dominate drone swarms without a single bullet—finally restoring U.S. superiority against cheap foreign threats.

Story Highlights

Nuburu’s Lyocon completes initial trials on March 10, 2026, for a portable rifle-mounted laser that disrupts drones using green, blue, and infrared wavelengths.
This lightweight system offers infantry unlimited shots at penny-per-kill cost, countering costly missile waste from drone proliferators like China and Russia.
U.S. Army RCCTO leads push for reliable field deployment, aligning with FY2026 funding to outpace adversaries in contested airspace.
Multi-layered defenses emerge as layered systems address drone swarm tactics seen in Ukraine, bolstering national security under strong leadership.

Rifle Laser Completes Trials

Nuburu’s Lyocon subsidiary finished initial trials for its rifle-mounted laser weapon on March 10, 2026. The U.S. Army now eyes this portable system for counter-drone defense in contested environments. Soldiers attach the lightweight device to standard rifles, enabling rapid deployment without carrying heavy munitions. The multi-wavelength setup—green, blue, and infrared—targets diverse drone sensors for effective disruption across various threats. This marks a pivotal advancement in individual warfighter capabilities.

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Traditional anti-drone missiles cost thousands per shot, making them impractical against cheap swarms like Iran’s Shahed-136 used in Ukraine. The laser delivers non-kinetic “soft kills” via photons at near-zero marginal cost, powered by batteries for unlimited engagements. Infantry gain freedom from ammo logistics, focusing on mission execution in dynamic battlefields. This innovation addresses fiscal mismanagement of past eras, prioritizing efficient taxpayer dollars for frontline troops.

Army RCCTO Drives Development

The U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), under Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch and Col. Adam Miller, oversees prototyping. Since 2020, RCCTO developed 17 directed-energy systems, deploying 11 including 50kW Stryker lasers to Central Command. Unlike bulky vehicle-mounted predecessors, this rifle version emphasizes man-portability and modularity. Rasch stresses battlefield sustainment without clean rooms, ensuring soldiers maintain optics in dusty conditions. FY2026 budget allocates $679 million for 44 Strykers, signaling scaled production.

Recent events include November 2025 RFI for 20 modular high-energy laser systems mountable on JLTVs, with Dugway Proving Ground tests in December 2025-January 2026. An August 2025 Army competition plans scalable counter-drone lasers for 2026. These steps build on 2020-2025 prototypes tackling drones, rockets, and missiles.

Stakeholders and Safety Measures

JIATF-401, led by Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, announced FAA-partnered laser tests on March 6, 2026, prioritizing eye-safety and auto-shutoff features. FAA addresses risks to aircrews, recalling the El Paso incident where border patrol lasers grounded flights for eight hours. Defense contractors like Raytheon compete via RFIs, while Nuburu commercializes portable tech. RCCTO holds procurement power, fostering industry innovation without globalist waste.

Impacts Bolster U.S. Edge

Short-term, infantry counter drone swarms ammo-free, saving costs versus missiles. Long-term, multi-layered defenses force adversaries to adapt, like adding heat-shielding to drones. Economically, low cost-per-shot contrasts bloated budgets of prior administrations; politically, it strengthens America against peer rivals. Soldiers benefit most, gaining tools for self-reliance. Experts like Electro Optical Systems CEO Schwer praise rapid re-engagement for kamikaze drones. Consensus views lasers as layered system components, not standalone, with challenges like dwell time and dirt-resistant optics.