Sen. King Presses Navy on Laser Weapon Research Cuts

In a pointed inquiry during a recent hearing, Senator Angus King took senior U.S. Navy officials to task for what he perceives as short-sighted budget cuts to directed energy weapon research—an area he believes is essential for the U.S. to maintain its military edge. The focus of King’s questioning was the apparent decrease in funding dedicated to the development and testing of such technologies, which are deemed crucial for neutralizing threats posed by drones and missiles at a fraction of the cost of traditional munitions.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Nickolas Guertin and Navy Vice Admiral James Pitts found themselves at the receiving end of King’s rigorous examination. The senator from Maine laid out a compelling argument for the importance of directed energy weapons, like lasers, in future warfare scenarios. These systems, according to King, offer not just a cost-effective solution to a growing variety of threats, but also promise a technological edge that could define future naval superiority.

Despite acknowledging the reductions, Secretary Guertin did point to the Navy’s pursuit of advancements in this field, citing experiments with prototypes including the Lockheed Martin HELIOS laser system. This admission underlines a recognition within the Navy of the potential held by directed energy technologies, even amidst fiscal restraints. King’s questioning thereby highlighted a critical conversation about priorities in military research and development, echoing a wider debate on how to best prepare for future warfare challenges.