Jared Keller
- Editorial Director, Signal
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Articles by Jared Keller
This hydrogen-powered drone maker believes lasers could be the next big airborne weapon
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. On a modern battlefield defined by the ever-expanding “affordable mass” of cheap, disposable drones, Ben Levinson wants to build something that lasts. Levinson is the founder and CEO of Heven AeroTech, the Virginia-based maker of hydrogen-powered drones for long-endurance operations.
The Navy’s top officer lays out his vision for laser weapons on every ship
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology.
The Navy’s push for shipboard laser weapons just got a new entrant
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. The U.S. Navy has awarded a modest contract to America’s largest shipbuilder for a new high-energy laser weapon for maritime operations.
The Pentagon’s laser weapon era is finally here
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. The U.S. Army has awarded defense contractor AV a $464.8 million contract for the production of high-energy laser weapons under the Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, the service announced—the U.S. military’s first formal directed energy program of record and a major milestone for laser weapons after decades of research and development.
The Pentagon’s laser weapon era is finally here
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology.
The Navy is rethinking what a laser weapon looks like
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. The U.S. Navy has a unusual proposition for the U.S. defense industry: take your high-energy laser weapons and break them into pieces.
The Navy is rethinking what a laser weapon looks like
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Most Read from Fast Company The U.S. Navy has a unusual proposition for the U.S. defense industry: take your high-energy laser weapons and break them into pieces.
The Cold War legend of Romania’s tank-melting laser
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Every conflict gets the legend it deserves. The French-born pirate Jean Lafitte became a “battlefield hero” while fighting for the United States during the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. The beloved American TV host Fred Rogers was allegedly a deadly sniper during the Vietnam War.
The Cold War legend of Romania’s tank-melting laser
Middle East 1 day ago Iran makes dramatic new demands around Strait of Hormuz POLITICO - Associated Press • 1d The waterway, crucial to global supplies of oil and natural gas, will not open until the United States “corrects its behavior,” the Supreme National Security Council said. Iran’s politburo-like body known as the Supreme National Security Council said the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the … 0:30 3 hours ago Sudan: Army Strikes Rebel Convoy At Chad Border.
This tiny fiber-optic plug could make laser weapons battlefield-ready
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. The most critical component to actually fielding high-energy laser weapons at scale isn’t the diode pump, or the gain medium, or the beam director. It isn’t even the power source. In reality, it may actually be this tiny fiber-optic converter.
How the U.S. military is preparing for laser attacks on drones
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. The U.S. military has spent billions of dollars over decades building high-energy laser weapons capable of burning drones out of the sky, but it has spent considerably less money and time exploring what happens when an adversary does the same thing.
The US military wants to showcase battle-ready laser weapons by 2028
Jared Keller Tue, June 2, 2026 at 11:46 PM UTC 8 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. The U.S. military is pushing to demonstrate high-energy laser weapons engineered for fielding at scale in the next two years, according to the U.S. Defense Department’s top science and technology official.
The US Navy is full speed ahead on building a laser fleet Original
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. Operation Epic Fury may have strengthened the case for directed energy weapons, but the U.S. Navy’s dream of putting “a laser on every ship” may take significantly longer than expected to realize.
The Age of Laser Weapons Is Here—But 1 Big Problem Is Holding Them Back
The global laser weapons race is a competitive, proliferating market involving systems from rival powers. Inc. is republishing this story with permission. The original article first appeared in the Laser Wars newsletter, which focuses on military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology.
The laser weapons race enters its industrial era
This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. On April 30, the Financial Times reported Israel had sent a version of its 100 KW Iron Beam high-energy laser weapon to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help Abu Dhabi fend off hundreds of missiles and drones fired by Iran since the beginning of the U.S. military’s Operation Epic Fury.
The laser weapons race enters its industrial era
2 hours ago The president "said few words but so many times,” the "Late Show" host noted. “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert on Monday aired a supercut of President Donald Trump repeatedly telling reporters he has a “very simple plan” when it comes to his war in Iran. Trump “said few words but so many times,” …
Why aircraft carriers are the best (and worst) place for laser weapons Original
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. When U.S. Navy leaders declared that “the dream of a laser on every ship can become a real one” earlier this year, they apparently had one particular ship in mind.
Why aircraft carriers are the best (and worst) place for laser weapons
When U.S. Navy leaders declared that “the dream of a laser on every ship can become a real one” earlier this year, they apparently had one particular ship in mind. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush shot down multiple drones with a high-energy laser weapon stationed on its flight deck during a first-of-its-kind live-fire test in October 2025, the Navy recently revealed.
America’s ‘Laser Dome’ starts here
The U.S.military is paving the way for the regular deployment of high-energy laser weapons on American soil for air defense amid the expanding threat of low-cost weaponized drones.
The Navy brought a retired laser weapon back for a new drone fight
The U.S. Navy spent at least six months resurrecting a high-energy laser weapon that previously graced the bow of a warship for a new military exercise last year, the service recently revealed.
The Navy brought a retired laser weapon back for a new drone fight
The U.S. Navy spent at least six months resurrecting a high-energy laser weapon that previously graced the bow of a warship for a new military exercise last year, the service recently revealed. Most Read from Fast Company The Nail Test: Why this $54 billion innovation is terrifying Western auto executives Where is Artemis II now?
The US Army is already ditching its most powerful laser weapon yet Original
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. The U.S. Army hasn’t even officially taken delivery of its most powerful high-energy laser weapon yet, but the service is already walking away from it in pursuit of a newer model.
The Pentagon wants to field laser weapons at scale within 3 years Original
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. For decades, the U.S. military’s dream of high-energy laser weapons has been perpetually “five years away.” Now, the Pentagon says it wants to finally make them an operational reality within the next three.
Jared Keller on Laser Weapons | Meidas Defense
As the United States rapidly depletes its interceptor missile stockpile in the conflict with Iran—heightening strategic risks globally—laser weapons have dominated the headlines. On March 9, President Trump touted lasers as “incredible technology coming out pretty soon” that could replace Patriot systems at a fraction of the cost.
Laser Weapon Spotted Near US-Mexico Border
The US Army appears to have sent a utility vehicle armed with a high-energy laser weapon to train with American soldiers deployed near the southern border of the United States in support of federal law enforcement.
What We Know About the Army’s New Enduring High Energy Laser Weapon
The US Army appears closer than ever to launching its first official directed energy program of record — a major milestone in the service’s decades-long quest to field battlefield-ready laser weapons. Laser Wars was first to report in early July that the Army’s fiscal year 2026 budget request contained nearly $50 million in procurement dollars to buy a pair of so-called Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL) weapons.
The Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 Deals for Service Members, Veterans and Military Families
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The Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 Deals for Service Members, Veterans and Military Families
As an Amazon associate, Military.com earns from qualifying purchases. If you think Amazon Prime Day is getting longer, you're not alone. And you're not wrong, either. Amazon Prime Day 2025 runs from 12:01 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Tuesday, July 8, through Friday, July 11. That's four days, folks -- twice as long as what Amazon Prime Day has been in previous years. That gives us more time to browse deals and discounts. But who has time to look at them all? Thankfully, you've come to the right place.
“カミカゼ” 水上ドローンが変える海上の戦い
それは米軍の歴史において最も高くついた軍事演習であると同時に、結果は悲惨なものだった。 2億5,000万ドル(約380億円）と2年の計画期間を費やして2002年に実行された「ミレニアム・チャレンジ演習」では、米国を代表するブルーチームと、イランあるいはイラクを想定したペルシャ湾の架空国家を代表するレッドチームが対峙した。冷戦後に米国国防総省（ペンタゴン）が推し進めた先進技術とコンセプトに基づく軍事原則の効果を検証することが演習の目的だった。 見たところはブルーチームが軍事的にも技術的にも優位であったにもかかわらず、海兵隊中将のポール・ヴァン・ライパー率いるレッドチームは誰も予想しなかった非対称かつ斬新な戦術を用いて、敵陣を完全な混乱に陥れることに成功した。...
Hegseth and Other Top Trump Officials Just Failed OPSEC Jeff
For U.S. service members of a certain era of the Global War on Terrorism, the Defense Department's operational security training featured a familiar hero. Jeff, sporting a blue sweater-vest and goatee, served as a comforting guide to troops getting caught up on their OPSEC hygiene as part of the Pentagon's annual Cyber Awareness Challenge, offering recommendations and advice to his hapless digital coworker Tina.
Military Researchers Are Trying to Hack Troops' Blood
The Defense Department's deep research and development arm is exploring ways to hack U.S. service members' blood so they can fight harder and longer in what could represent a major step toward engineering troops with seemingly superhuman capabilities. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Red Blood Cell-Factory program, unveiled in December, is developing a medical device that could feed "biologically active components" into U.S. troops' red blood cells.
The US Army Is Using ‘CamoGPT’ to Purge DEI From Training Materials
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The US Army Is Using ‘CamoGPT’ to Purge DEI From Training Materials
14 hours ago JD Vance issues blunt response when asked if US forces will invade Mexico JD Vance issued a blunt response when asked if US forces will invade Mexico. The vice president held a press conference as he paid a visit to Eagle Pass in Texas on Wednesday (5 March) Asked about the potential for ground forces during a visit to the US-Mexico border, Vance responded: “No. Next question.” He declined to offer details on any potential air strikes or other military activity.
What Are the Best Deployment Snacks?
Military deployments overseas come with a lot of challenges, from tough conditions to long hours. In that kind of environment, deployment snacks (or pogeybait, to those who know) are more than just food: They're a lifeline. For one, deployment snacks are essential for helping you keep your energy levels up. Meals don't always happen at regular times, and sometimes you're on the move and just need something quick to keep you going.
The rise of the drone boats
| Security | 2m ago Swarms of weaponized unmanned surface vessels have proven formidable weapons in the Black and Red Seas. Can the US military learn the right lessons from it? It was the most expensive war game in US military history, and the outcome was a disaster.
The Rise of the Drone Boats
Tech News Tube is a real time news feed of the latest technology news headlines.Follow all of the top tech sites in one place, on the web or your mobile device.
Why this cybersecurity startup wants to watermark everything
Cybersecurity startup EchoMark is releasing a new application programming interface (API) to allow for its novel digital watermarking tool to integrate with virtually any existing communications software. Founded in 2022 to develop a digital watermarking system to safeguard organizations’ sensitive and proprietary information, EchoMark originally focused on injecting personalized identifiers into emails and link-based networked document sharing tools.
Soldiers Give the Army's New Rifle Optic Low Ratings
Soldiers Give the Army's New Rifle Optic Low Ratings The Army has officially fielded its brand-new rifles to soldiers, but the service is apparently still working out the kinks with the systems' advanced optic, according to a new assessment from the Defense Department's top weapons tester. Read Full Article »
The Army's New Rifles Have an Optic Problem
The Army has officially fielded its brand-new rifles to soldiers, but the service is apparently still working out the kinks with the systems' advanced optic, according to a new assessment from the Defense Department's top weapons tester.
Co-designing a fit-for-purpose data sharing system
Jared Robert Keller · Follow 19 min read · -- This is the second installment in a series about crafting fit-for-purpose data sharing systems. The first article outlined four lenses for making sense of data sharing systems; this article expands on that guidance by introducing a seven-stage framework and service offering that helps people and organizations co-design, build and operate fit-for-purpose, sustainable data sharing systems.
The Battle Songs that Defined the Global War on Terrorism, According to Service Members and Veterans
If you served in the U.S. military during the Global War on Terrorism, chances are high that there are a handful of battle songs you associate with your service.
Why the US Military Can't Just Shoot Down the Mystery Drones
Small, easily weaponizable drones have become a feature of battlefields from the Middle East to Ukraine. Now the threat looms over the US homeland—and the Pentagon's ability to respond is limited.
Why the US Military Can't Just Shoot Down the Mystery Drones
A spectre is haunting the United States—the spectre of drone warfare. Since the middle of November, unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles have lit up the skies above New Jersey, startling residents and baffling military and government officials.
The US Army's Vision of Soldiers in Exoskeletons Lives On
After decades of research and development, the United States Army is taking yet another run at developing a powered exoskeleton to help soldiers carry heavy loads on the battlefield—but don’t expect a futuristic suit of combat armor straight out of Starship Troopers or Iron Man anytime soon.
未来の兵器「AIマシンガン」が現実になっている
安価に兵器化された敵のドローンが津波のように押し寄せて海外駐留米軍に脅威を与えるなか、常に上空から迫る死の恐怖から自軍を守ろうと米軍は全力を尽くしている。高価な弾薬、未来的だが複雑な指向性エネルギー兵器、そして自らも拡充するドローン兵器など選択肢があるなかで、国防総省がドローン対策として目を向けるのはエレガントなまでにシンプルな解決策、銃の再発明だ。 8月に開催されたイベントT-REX（Technology Readiness Experimentation）で国防総省は、人工知能（AI）を活用した自律ロボット銃システム「Bullfrog」をテストした。開発したのは新進の防衛企業、Allen Control Systems（ACS）だ。 ドローンを数発で撃ち落とす...
The Best Military Books We Read in 2024
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The Marine Corps' New Sniper Rifle Is Officially Ready for a Fight
The Marine Corps' newest sniper rifle is ready for prime time. Marine Corps Systems Command announced Tuesday that it has reached full operational capability for the service's new Mark 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle, which means that all infantry and reconnaissance units have fielded and completed new equipment training on the system.
The Best Amazon Black Friday Week 2024 Deals for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
As an Amazon associate, Military.com earns from qualifying purchases. Is there really such a thing as “too much of a good thing”? Amazon is betting that is not the case headed into Black Friday this year. The retail giant’s participation in America’s favorite shopping holiday isn’t limited to just one day (or even a weekend) anymore. Indeed, Amazon’s Black Friday Week 2024 sale starts on Thursday, Nov.
The Pentagon’s F-35 Office Has No Idea What an F-35 Looks Like
You might think that, given the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office’s singular responsibility of ensuring the U.S. military’s F-35 fleet is ready to fight tonight, the service members working for that office would be intimately familiar with at least a handful of the passing details of the aircraft, no matter how far from an engineering bay their job may take them. Sadly, that is not the case.
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