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Since 2019, there has been significant interest in Directed Energy Weapons globally, especially as most nations explore cost-effective ways to deal with the drone swarm threat and hypersonic weapons. As DEW technology proliferated and democratized, more systems are being developed and entering the market from different nations. What was once a technology reserved for superpowers is now on its way to becoming conventional for modern militaries.

In this Interview, Corry Cox, Director of Research and Technology at the US Army SMDC Tech Center delves into the state of play of laser programmes in the army. An essential read for Directed Energy professionals. 

In the run-up to Directed Energy Systems 2018, we had the opportunity to discuss with Colonel Michael E. Thompson, Chief, Advanced Weapons Systems (A5/8ZW), HQ Air Combat Command USAF and speaker at the event. He provides here an exclusive preview of this brief at the conference and share insights on what Directed Energy Systems mean for the USAF and how they are using them, the challenges they are encountering and what is the reality of implementing the technology onto a F-35.

In this exclusive interview with Colonel Sean Wilson, Officer in Charge, Cyber Electromagnetic Activities of U.S. Army Europe and speaker at the conference, learn more about what limitations have been found during the Mobile Expeditionary High Energy Laser (MEHEL) test, what type of threats the technology should be able to counter in the future and what challenges militaries face when it comes to making directed energy operational onto platforms.