The US Navy commander in the Indo-Pacific region, Admiral John Akvilino, has expressed interest in conducting more active tests and deployments of directed energy weapons. These weapons are specifically designed to disable electronics or destroy threatening objects.
During the NDIA conference on new defense technologies, which took place near the White House in Washington, Akvilino stated, “I am very inspired by the possibility of a high-energy laser that they are experimenting with and using.” He further explained that some ships have already installed such systems that enable them to “blind, disorient, and destroy”.
Directed energy weapons have been under development by the United States and other countries for several decades. The Pentagon has allocated an average of $1 billion annually for the past three years for the development of these weapons.
The main types of directed energy weapons include high-energy lasers and powerful microwaves. The former creates a concentrated beam or multiple rays to defeat the target, while the latter emits waves of energy capable of disabling electronic components.
The Marine Army has previously utilized Lockheed Martin Helios and Odin lasers to combat drones, small boats, and reconnaissance systems.
Admiral Akvilino emphasized the importance of accelerating the deployment of these weapons, stating, “If such an opportunity exists and we can implement it within 18-24 months, I am ready to pursue it. I am ready to experiment with new technologies tomorrow. I have the largest testing ground in the world.”
Admiral Akvilino’s area of responsibility includes China, North Korea, and US allies such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The Indo-Pacific region, for which he is responsible, is home to more than half of the world’s population.