MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drone Equipped with Laser Weapon

Imagine a high-tech MQ-9B SeaGuardian silently patrolling the skies above the Black Sea, locking onto a swarm of incoming Shahed kamikaze drones—then, instead of launching missiles, it unleashes powerful, invisible beams of energy that fry the drones mid-air.

This is no longer a sci-fi scenario. General Atomics has officially unveiled a laser-armed version of its MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Sea-Air-Space 2025 exhibition, marking a significant leap in drone warfare and defense capabilities.

A Game-Changing Directed Energy Weapon

The newly displayed laser system is not just a concept; it’s a podded, underwing-mounted laser weapon that fits right onto the MQ-9B. It is part of a 25-kilowatt class system, which General Atomics says can be scaled up to an astonishing 300 kilowatts, whether in pulsed or continuous wave modes. That kind of power means this drone can target and destroy small drones, incoming missiles, or other threats quickly and silently—with no smoke trails, explosions, or radar signatures.

What Makes This Laser Special?

At the heart of this advanced system is a Distributed Gain Laser, a special type of laser that spreads out the material responsible for amplifying the light (called the gain medium). This spread reduces the need for massive cooling systems and eliminates the need to combine multiple fiber laser beams, which is often a complex and bulky process.

The result? A lighter, more efficient, and less power-hungry laser system that can be deployed not just in the air but also on land or at sea.

The laser pod comes with:

• A 25-kilowatt distributed gain laser

• An ultra-high power density battery system

• A large optical aperture for enhanced targeting

• An efficient cooling system that reduces size and weight

Building on Past Experience

This isn’t General Atomics’ first foray into laser technology. Back in 2021, the company, in collaboration with Boeing, began developing a 300-kilowatt-class solid-state laser system for the U.S. Army. And in 2022, they successfully tested an air-to-air laser communication system, proving that lasers can do much more than just destroy—they can also provide secure, high-speed communications in contested environments.

Platforms and Flexibility

The laser system is designed with flexibility in mind. It can be fitted not only to the MQ-9B SeaGuardian but also to other drones like:

• MQ-9A Reaper

• MQ-1C Gray Eagle 25M

• SkyGuardian variants

This modular, podded design means militaries can adapt and upgrade their drone fleets without needing to develop entirely new aircraft platforms.

Future Possibilities

Laser weapons on drones could fundamentally change how future conflicts are fought. Instead of relying solely on limited onboard missiles or external support, drones like the MQ-9B could autonomously neutralize a wide range of threats, including:

• Swarms of kamikaze drones

• Low-flying helicopters

• Cruise missiles

• Even ground targets with pinpoint precision

As this technology matures, it may also find use in anti-satellite operations, missile defense, and covert electronic warfare roles, all while flying silently in international skies.

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, now with laser capabilities, represents a bold step into the future—one where drones don’t just see and surveil, but also defend and destroy at the speed of light.