The U.S. Air Force has sent three different directed energy weapon systems to protect air bases abroad. The HELWS, PHASER, and THOR weapons will guard U.S. air bases from the threat of drone strikes, shooting down any unauthorized drone that comes within microwave or laser range. The new weapons are a response to the new threat of weaponized drones and drone swarms attacking airfields.
The three weapons are the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), PHASER high-power microwave (PHASER), and the Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR).