Why Laser Beams Are the Hottest New Tech in Defense

Wayne Sanders, a retired US army colonel and senior defense research analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, discusses the growth of directed energy weapon systems. While Reagan-era programs like Star Wars once seemed unrealistic, modern lasers can now successfully shoot down missiles. Sanders explains the specific physics challenges researchers overcame to make these laser weapons a reality. He also addresses the current technical limitations that prevent the existence of handheld laser guns within the modern defense industry.