Why lasers, at $3 per shot, may be the next frontier for stopping drone attacks

Amid attacks from cheaply made Iranian Shahed drones, the U.S. is looking toward new, cost-effective ways to neutralize the threat.

A drone attack killed six U.S. service members in Kuwait. To shoot down the drones, which can cost as little as $20,000 each, the U.S. military is using anti-missile interceptors that cost millions.

Laser technology is still relatively young and experimental. But with a cost of just a few dollars a shot, lasers are being looked at as a possible solution as combatting Iran’s drones drains the U.S. weapons stockpile, according to Wahid Nawabi, CEO of American defense contractor AeroVironment.