US Introduces Rifle-Mounted Laser Weapon to Shut Down Drones

A non-kinetic laser system is a rifle-mounted platform that disrupts hostile drones using multi-wavelength lasers.

A new chapter in counter-drone defense begins as Nuburu’s Lyocon subsidiary completes initial trials of a next-gen, portable non-kinetic laser system built to hunt drones in contested airspace.

Designed for rapid deployment, the lightweight weapon can be mounted on rifles, letting soldiers carry and aim it with minimal effort in the field.

It leverages a multi-wavelength directed-energy setup and operates across green, blue, and infrared laser bands to disrupt a wide range of drone types.

Its versatility is supported by scalable optical power, from 1 to 10 watts, paired with advanced beam control that allows operators to precisely direct energy at targets.

Adjustable beam divergence ensures effectiveness at short and long ranges, while dynamic beam regulation and precision collimation keep the laser focused and reliable in changing conditions.

“Counter-drone protection has become one of the most urgent priorities for defense forces,” Nuburu Chief Executive Officer Dario Barisoni said, adding that the new system is capable of safeguarding personnel, vehicles, and critical infrastructure from evolving drone threats.

The Road Ahead

The milestone marks Nuburu’s entry into the growing counter-drone market, as militaries and security operators worldwide accelerate deployment of cost-effective solutions for neutralizing drone threats.

The system also builds on the company’s broader directed-energy ecosystem, which integrates laser systems, electronic warfare tools, AI-driven software, and tactical platforms.

Talks are underway for a potential supply agreement with an undisclosed customer, pending technical approval, regulatory review, and contract negotiations.

“The successful completion of the system confirms the robustness of the architecture we have engineered and the scalability of Lyocon’s directed-energy platform,” said Paola Zanzola, executive director at Lyocon.

“Our objective has been to design a compact, modular system capable of delivering effective optical countermeasures against drone threats while maintaining operational flexibility.”