The latest version of the fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill would establish a $100 million prototyping program for directed-energy technologies and boosts funding for several laser efforts, but the additional money is not assured as a larger budget deal evades lawmakers. The FY-18 legislation establishes a "directed-energy prototyping and demonstration program" at the Defense Department meant to accelerate "the fielding of directed-energy weapon prototypes that would help counter technological advantages of potential adversaries," as well as support "the military...
