Navy chief urges faster fielding of shipboard lasers
By The BriefBrief
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle issued a directive to get high-energy lasers into sailors’ hands as soon as possible. In his 10th C-NOTE released Wednesday, he said directed-energy systems must be treated as an operational capability and fielded across the fleet to counter mass-produced, low-cost drones.
WHO:Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations
WHAT:Issued a directive to accelerate fielding of high-energy laser directed-energy systems across the Navy fleet.
WHEN:Sep 2, 2026
WHERE:USA
WHY:To adapt to a threat environment where mass-produced, low-cost drones challenge traditional munitions and to speed up placing directed-energy systems in sailors’ hands.
