counter uas
March 27, 2026
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DroneWire Intelligence

The U.S. Army Wants to Shoot Down Drones with Bullets and Lasers Instead of Million Dollar Missiles

The U.S. Army Wants to Shoot Down Drones with Bullets and Lasers Instead of Million Dollar Missiles

AI Analysis

The U.S. Army is exploring cost-effective alternatives to expensive missile systems for countering drones, focusing on using bullets and lasers. This shift is driven by the need to efficiently address the threat of inexpensive drones in conflict zones like Iran, Israel, and the Gulf States.

Confidence: 85%

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. Army seeks to replace expensive missile systems with bullets and laser technology for drone defense.
  • Current conflicts have highlighted the inefficiency of using multi-million dollar missiles against low-cost drones.
  • Laser systems offer a significantly cheaper option, with costs as low as $3.50 per shot.
  • The strategic shift is influenced by ongoing conflicts in regions such as Iran, Israel, and the Gulf States.
  • This development aligns with broader efforts by the Pentagon, Ukraine, and Israel to modernize drone defense strategies.

Why It Matters

The strategic shift towards bullets and lasers for drone defense highlights a critical need for cost-effective solutions in modern warfare. This approach not only reduces defense costs but also enhances the ability to counter the increasing threat of unmanned aerial systems in various conflict zones.

<img width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launches ordnance during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-1 at Fort Greely, Alaska, Oct. 22, 2020. This exercise focuses on rapid infiltration and exfiltration to minimize the chance of a counterattack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Beaux Hebert)" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812.jpg 1280w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.19fortyfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HIMARS-4-e1664489192812-600x337.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /><p>From a $4 Million Patriot Missile to a $3.50 Laser Shot: How the Iran War Is Forcing the Pentagon, Ukraine, and Israel to Reinvent Drone Defense The recent air war over Iran, Israel, and the Gulf States has seen the US and our allies using multi-million dollar missiles to shoot down cheap drones.  The Army […]</p>

<p>The post <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com/2026/03/the-u-s-army-wants-to-shoot-down-drones-with-bullets-and-lasers-instead-of-million-dollar-missiles/">The U.S. Army Wants to Shoot Down Drones with Bullets and Lasers Instead of Million Dollar Missiles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.19fortyfive.com">19FortyFive</a>.</p>

Tags

USA
Israel
Pentagon
Iran
laser

Original Source

19FortyFive

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