In late 2024, the U.S. Navy tested its HELIOS weapon system against a threat-representative cruise missile with USS Preble (DDG 88), part of Directed Energy and Electric Weapon System effort. The Center for Countermeasures (CCM) supported the test by collecting imagery. The U.S. Navy’s laser weapons programs include the Navy Laser Family of Systems (NLFoS) managed by Surface Warfare Division (N96) and the Innovation, Technology Missions, and Test and Evaluation Division (N94) family. The U.S. Navy is working on the High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project (HELCAP) and Laser Weapon Testbed (LWT), incorporating technologies developed under the SSL-TM program. HELCAP aims to deliver a 300+ kilowatt laser platform to the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy has installed Aegis software on select vessels to operate the HELIOS system. Testing of HELIOS will continue in 2025 on USS Preble.
Chinese scientists have successfully tested a compact high-power microwave (HPM) gun capable of firing over 10,000 shots without failure. The breakthrough achievement is attributed to a unique vacuum encapsulation system developed by researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi’an. This system eliminates the need for bulky external vacuum pumps traditionally used in HPM systems. The gun’s operational capabilities include emitting microwave beams exceeding hundreds of megawatts and being powered by a three-gigawatt pulsed current. It is theoretically capable of attacking drones, missiles, aircraft, and potentially low-orbit satellites by disrupting or destroying their electronic systems. China is also developing solid-state HPM weapons using GaN semiconductors in addition to the vacuum-based system. The breakthrough in vacuum technology represents a significant advance in making directed-energy weapons more practical for field deployment, potentially accelerating their transition to operational military assets.
The top five energy technology trends of 2025 are focused on security, costs, and jobs; decarbonization; China’s dominance in energy technology investments; India’s ascent in renewable energy; and the impact of AI on data center electricity consumption. The World Economic Forum’s Advanced Energy Solutions community is helping to accelerate the deployment of new energy technologies amidst geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Global energy investment is expected to increase to $2.2 trillion in renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency, and electrification by 2025.
Energy weapons have evolved significantly, spanning several decades of military modernization initiatives. They include laser, microwave, particle beam, and electromagnetic weapons, with recent advancements enhancing air defense and space operations. Laser weapons offer precision targeting and cost efficiency, while microwave weapons disrupt enemy electronics. Particle beam weapons deploy charged particles for target destruction, and electromagnetic weapons manipulate the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy weapons operate on directed energy principles and utilize advanced targeting mechanisms. They have military applications for precision strikes and intercepting threats, with potential civilian uses in law enforcement and industry. Benefits include precision targeting and reduced logistical needs, but concerns exist regarding accountability and misuse. The future of energy weapons holds promise for transforming military operations but also raises ethical considerations.
