Accelerating the development of directed energy weapons

Laser weapons and other directed energy systems have the potential to bring new capabilities to NATO militaries, but the technology is developing at different paces across different countries, and has yet to mature into a utilisable capability. A team of NATO STO researchers recently gathered in the Netherlands to carry out an atmospheric laser propagation trial to gain a better understanding of what laser weapons could offer, as part of their ongoing work to ensure that the technology avoids the "valley of death".