Key information
The U.S. Navy has begun utilizing Xbox-style controllers to operate its anti-drone laser systems. According to Interesting Engineering, these controllers provide the targeting precision and rapid input required for weapons platforms, while their familiar layouts make training easier for sailors. It remains unknown whether the Navy employs wired, wireless, off-the-shelf, or contractor-customized controllers.
Unlike experimental setups, these laser weapons are actively deployed on warships and have reportedly been used against threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Following previous testing on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier, this marks one of the earliest deployments of anti-drone lasers in an active conflict zone. Meanwhile, the UK Royal Navy plans to operationalize similar systems on its destroyers by next year.
Laser systems offer significant financial advantages for counter-drone missions compared to conventional options. A single laser engagement is estimated to cost approximately $13 in electricity, offering a dramatic cost reduction relative to anti-aircraft missiles priced between thousands and millions of dollars. As long as a vessel maintains electrical power from turbine engines or nuclear reactors, these lasers can continuously defend against drones without relying on traditional ammunition.
