Mary Miller, assistant secretary for research and engineering at the Defense Department, has said the department continues to face various technical challenges in developing directed energy weapons for combat, National Defense Magazine reported Friday.
She explained at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Army Science and Technology Conference that getting laser weapons to generate more power for certain missions prevents the DoD from pushing through with the technology.
Other challenges that disrupt the development of directed energy systems include balancing size, weight and power, addressing thermal management and modernizing a test infrastructure.
However, Miller noted that the Office of the Secretary of Defense intends to launch a laser scaling program that will help streamline the procurement technologies that can boost the power of weapons for the U.S. armed forces.
She added that the DoD is working on resolving the directed energy technical issues before focusing on a program of record.