Laser Strikes in the News
Last updated: June 8, 2026
June 2026
- June 8 nLIGHT, Inc. Announces Participation in Eurosatory 2026 Defense Conference
- June 7 US Army Eyes High-Power Laser Weapons for Large Reconnaissance Drones
- June 5 Türkiye Advances Steel Dome Shield with Roketsan's Laser System
- June 4 Israeli Firm Says New Laser System Can Down Drones in Seconds
- June 3 Esh-Tech Unveils DroneLight Laser Weapon System That Destroys Hostile Drones in Seconds
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June 1
This Is What Laser Warfare Looks Like
Korea Localizes Laser Oscillator, Boosts Cheongwang Weapon and Slashes Shoot-Down Time
Hanwha Systems Succeeds in Localizing Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Generator
May 2026
- May 31 Laser Beam Projection on Aircraft Prohibited, Punishable by Law – Caap
- May 27 Rheinmetall Wins Major Bundeswehr Order for Laser-Light Modules for New Assault Rifle
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May 26
Russian Billionaires Ask Putin for Heavy Weapons and Lasers to Fight Ukrainian Drones
Israel's Elbit Developing Hardware to Combat Hezbollah Drones, CEO Says - May 25 Indian Army Explores 10 kW Laser Shield to Protect Main Battle Tanks From Deadly Drone Attacks
- May 19 Backyard Laser Blast Lands Columbus Man In Chopper Trouble
- May 18 3 U.S. Air Force F-16 Pilots Were Targeted by High-Powered Blue Lasers Near Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany
- May 16 Laser Strike on CPD Helicopter Lands Grove City Man on Felony Charge
- May 14 Authorities Investigate Laser Strike on United Airlines Flight Over Teaneck
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May 13
Battle-Tested Ukraine Laser Used to Zap Drones
Ukraine Develops Trident Laser Weapon to Destroy Drones and Helicopters -
May 7
DRDO Advances 300 kW Scalable Directed Energy Weapon Development for Drone Swarm Interception
Tryzub Laser Weapon Completes Final Trials
April 2026
- April 30 Turkish Laser Weapons System With New Capabilities Set to Make Splash at Istanbul Defense Expo
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April 29
B.C. Man Arrested After Laser Strikes Disrupt Search-and-Rescue Coverage
Hegseth: Military Moving Rapidly to Build, Deploy Advanced Laser Weapons - April 24 NY Ranks Among Top States for Laser Strikes on Aircraft
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April 22
Air Force Wants to Use Lasers to Help Protect Rescue Helicopters After Iran Mission
Potentially Dangerous Laser, Drone Infractions Reported at Kelowna, B.C., Airport -
April 21
Dangerous Laser Strike on CHP Aircraft Leads to Arrest in Orange County
Australia Commits $7B to Counter-Drone Defense - April 15 Wyoming Guard Says Lasers Are Targeting Military Aircraft Over Guernsey
- April 14 Guilty Pleas to Laser Strike Charges on Tourist Biplane a 'Good Result'
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April 13
West Auckland Man Charged After Laser Strike on Police Eagle Helicopter
Pentagon, FAA Sign Safety Agreement Over Counter-Drone Laser - April 12 Russia Boasts of "Posokh" Laser: Closer Look at Anti-Drone "Wonder-Weapon"
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April 10
Chinese Laser Counter-Drone System Launches for Overseas Sales
Ukraine and Germany Discuss Cooperation on Innovative Laser Weaponry - April 9 Warning After Helicopter Hit by Laser Light Over Oxfordshire
- April 5 UK Confirms Drone-Killing DragonFire Laser Weapon for Royal Navy Destroyers by 2027
- April 4 EOS Wins $12M U.S. Remote Weapon System Contracts and Advances South Korea Laser Deal
March 2026
- March 31 Pentagon Weighs Anti-Drone Laser Deployment Near McNair Base After Drone Sightings
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March 27
Germany Enquires About EOS Counter-Drone Systems
AeroVironment Launches Locust X3, an AI-Enabled C-UAS Laser - March 17 New York Sees Decline in Laser Strikes on Planes, But Incidents Remain High
- March 16 Rise of Drone Warfare Sharpens Focus on Laser Defense
- March 15 Laser Pen Lout Targets Helicopter Helping Mountain Rescue Team in James Bond Glen
- March 12 US Firm's New Rifle-Mounted Laser Weapon Blinds Drones Using Multiple Light Beams
- March 11 Man, 60, Arrested After Laser Shone at Police Plane Responding to Road Rage Incident
- March 10 US Introduces Rifle-Mounted Laser Weapon to Shut Down Drones
- March 7 Pentagon and FAA Agree to Conduct Anti-Drone Laser Tests in New Mexico
- March 6 JIATF-401, FAA to Conduct Advanced Counter-Drone Laser Test at White Sands Missile Range
- March 5 All About Laser Weapons Deployed In Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
February 2026
- Feb 28 Wait — Laser Guns Are Real Now?
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Feb 27
Arizona Laser Strikes Climb as National Numbers Fall, FAA Says
Whoops: US Military Laser Strike Takes Down CBP Drone Near Mexican Border -
Feb 26
New FAA Data Shows San Diego Airports Led Nation in Laser Strikes in 2025
U.S. Laser Strikes Decline For Second Year
FBI Warns About Planes Being Hit With Lasers in Ohio - Feb 25 Arizona is Top 5 in Laser Strikes on Pilots, Despite Nationwide Drop
- Feb 24 Laser-Focusing Defense Capabilities
- Feb 14 Mexican Drug Cartel Drones Trigger Laser Strike That Shut Down US Airspace
- Feb 13 FBI: CBP Shot Laser at Valentine's Balloons It Thought Were Drones
- Feb 11 Ukraine Develops Low-Cost Laser Air Defense System to Counter Russian Drones
- Feb 9 Pune-Based olee.space Introduces AI Laser Sniper UGV Platform for Swarm Defence Operations
- Feb 6 Next-Gen Laser Defense Goes 'Mini': IPG Presents Crossbow
- Feb 5 FAA Launches Urgent Investigation After Mysterious Blue Laser Strikes American Airlines Flight Near Charlotte
- Feb 4 U.S. Army Releases Performance Details As Laser Weapons Enter Service
- Feb 3 The U.S. Navy's USS Preble Fired HELIOS Laser to Strike 4 Drones in New Test
January 2026
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Jan 30
American Airlines Flight Hit with Mysterious Blue Laser Strike Just Before Landing
FAA Probes Laser Strike Near Charlotte Airport Involving US Airliner
Australian Laser Firm to Move to Europe as NATO Builds Up Defense -
Jan 29
Laser Strike on Tucson Police Aircraft Leads to Arrest
Laser Strike Reportedly Targets Plane Near Charlotte Airport, FAA Says
HELIOS Shipboard Laser System Successfully Tested In Counter-UAS Uses -
Jan 28
China Tests New LY-1 Laser Weapons System On Civilian RORO Vessel
The Warship Laser That Hits Tiny Targets Without Missing a Beat -
Jan 21
Navy Chief Wants Big Lasers on Warships ASAP
DRDO Surya Laser Weapon Explained: Range, Technology, Capabilities, and Strategic Impact
China Brings OW5-A50 High-Energy Laser Air Defense Weapon System to Global Market - Jan 20 Counter-UAS Mission Seen as Killer App for Directed Energy
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Jan 19
Russian Forces Use Chinese-Made Laser to Counter Drones
GÖKBERK Laser Weapon Gets a Radar Upgrade with AURA 200-G -
Jan 17
The Day of the Tactical Laser Weapon Arrives
Forget Lasers and Missiles, China Wants to Kill Drones Using Microwave Weapons - Jan 15 Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser Weapon Global Market Research and Forecasts, 2025–2030
- Jan 9 Britain Invests £20m in DragonFire Laser Weapons to Protect Against Drone Attacks
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Jan 8
State Police Helicopter Forced to Make Emergency Landing After Laser Strike in Buffalo
Why Germany Is Building a New Naval Laser -
Jan 6
MBDA Germany and Rheinmetall Set Up Naval Laser Weapon Joint Venture
QinetiQ Awarded GBP67M to Deliver Laser Weapons to Royal Navy Platforms - Jan 5 The US Army's Formerly Bulky Laser Weapon, Locust, Is Now a Mobile Drone-Killer
December 2025
- Dec 30 DPS Helicopter Hit by Laser During Harris County Manhunt; Suspect Arrested
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Dec 29
Israel Announces 'Iron Beam' Laser Defense System Now Operational
Combat Laser From Russia Destroys Enemy Drone at a Kilometer Distance - Dec 23 Green Laser Strikes FedEx Boeing 767-300F Moments Before Landing In Indianapolis
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Dec 20
Japan Tests 100kW Laser Weapon Amid Taiwan Tensions
This Laser Cannon Shoots Down Drones at 400 mph — a Game Changer for European Defense - Dec 19 US Army Receives More LOCUST Laser Weapons From AeroVironment
- Dec 18 2 Japan GSDF Choppers Targeted with Lasers
November 2025
- Nov 21 The Laser Weapons Developed by Russia That Could Blind a Sniper or Kill a Drone
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Nov 17
Kentucky State Police Flight Officer Injured After Laser, Gunshots Aimed at Helicopter
Kentucky State Police Arrest Two Following Laser Strike Directed at Aircraft - Nov 8 Lurgan Man Accused of Endangering Helicopter with Laser Beam Has Charges Withdrawn
- Nov 4 Nine-Year-Old Aims Green Laser at Plane Cockpit and Nearly Blinds Pilots Mid-Flight
October 2025
- Oct 30 Laser Strike on Police Aircraft Leads to Swift Arrest
- Oct 28 Majority of Laser Strikes on Pilots in Ohio Happening in Cleveland Area
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Oct 24
Video Shows WA Man Arrested After Sheriff's Helicopter Hit by Green Laser
France Just Confirmed Plans to Fire Lasers at Satellites From the Ground or From Orbit - Oct 17 Oregon Man Charged With Shining Green Laser at CBP Helicopter in Portland
- Oct 16 Laser Strikes Pose Serious Threat To Pilots
- Oct 15 Mercy Flights Warns of Rising Laser Strikes Threatening Aviation Safety
- Oct 12 Emergency Flights Diverted From Portland Hospital Amid 'Laser Party' Threats at ICE Facility
- Oct 10 A Plan to Use Lasers Against Federal Helicopters Raises Safety Concerns in Portland
- Oct 1 Four Arrested After Conducting Laser Strikes on Helicopters in Portland
September 2025
- Sept 30 San Antonio Pilots Face Growing Threat From Laser Strikes During Critical Missions
- Sept 29 Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Laser Strike on Fresno Co. Sheriff's Helicopter
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Sept 24
Man Arrested After Allegedly Shining Laser at Marine One With President Trump Onboard
Florida Teen Just Found Out What Happens When You Aim a Laser at a Helicopter - Sept 22 Laser Strikes On Aircraft Remain A Growing Risk To Flight Safety
- Sept 20 BCSO Arrests Suspect Accused of Shining Laser Pointer at Helicopter
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Sept 16
Three Flights Near Boston Logan Airport Report Green Laser Strikes: FAA
Pilots Report 'Green Laser' Targeting Planes While Flying Near Boston Logan Airport - Sept 3 Record Number of Laser Strikes in 2025 for Southern Arizona
August 2025
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Aug 28
FAA Cracking Down on Laser Strikes Against Pilots in Georgia
Laser Lights Shined at Aircraft in Arizona More Than 300 Times in 2025
Over 300 Laser Strikes Reported in Arizona So Far in 2025, FAA Says - Aug 22 Laser Strike on Police Plane Results in Assault Charges
- Aug 15 Flight Approaching Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport Hit by Laser Strikes
- Aug 13 Russian Combat Laser Destroys Ukrainian FP-1 Drone in Seconds
- Aug 2 'Make Better Choices': Pilots Explain the Danger of Pointing Lasers at the Sky
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Aug 1
Colorado State Patrol Arrests Suspect Accused of Targeting Multiple Aircraft with Laser
The Colorado State Patrol Arrests Suspect in Laser Strike Incident
July 2025
- July 31 Chinese Researchers Suggest Lasers and Sabotage to Counter Musk's Starlink Satellites
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July 17
New Mexico Leads Nation in Laser Strikes on Aircraft, Raising Safety Concerns
Laser Strike Threatens Flight For Life Crew in Fort Morgan - July 12 21-Year-Old L.A. Man Arrested for Pointing a Laser at Police Helicopter During Protests
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July 8
Germany Accuses China of Laser Targeting Aircraft in EU Mission
Germany Summons China's Ambassador After a Plane is Lasered Over Red Sea
Germany Says a Chinese Warship Used a Laser Against Its Surveillance Aircraft Over the Red Sea - July 2 Laser Pointed at Aircraft in South Berwick, FAA Warns of Severe Penalties
June 2025
- June 20 Laser Strikes on Aircraft Surge: How Many Strikes Impacted California Airports?
- June 16 Reports of Laser Strikes on Aircraft Are Up, FAA Data Shows
- June 14 Laser Strike on HCSO Helicopter Results in Arrest After Endangering Flight Crew
- June 12 AINsight: Don't Turn a Blind Eye to Aircraft Laser Strikes
- June 4 Laser Strikes on Aircraft Pose Serious Safety Threat, FAA Reports
April–May 2025
- May 20 FAA: Laser Strikes Involving Planes 'Dangerously High.' Michigan Incidents in 2025
- April 26 Grundy County Pair Arrested, Charged Following Laser Strikes on Iowa National Guard
- April 25 FBI Investigates 'Dramatic' Surge of Laser Strikes Near Washington Airports
- April 24 FBI Seeks Leads in Skyrocketing Laser Strikes on WA Airplanes
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April 23
Kerikeri Airport Laser Attacks: Incidents Reported to Police
Laser Attacks Surge at Seattle, Spokane Airports — FBI Investigating - April 22 Addressing an 'Extremely Dangerous' Concern in the Sky. CT Looks to Crack Down with Fines, Prison
- April 18 North Dakota Army National Guard Helicopter Crew Reports Laser Strike Over Fargo