The Pentagon has publicly acknowledged that directed energy weapons (DEWs) are part of the US military's arsenal, a revelation that comes amid renewed claims that a scientist was targeted by such a device. In a social media post on May 4, known as Star Wars Day, the US Department of War stated that 'directed energy weapons are a fine addition to our arsenal.' Directed energy weapons fire concentrated beams of electromagnetic energy, such as microwaves or lasers, to disable or destroy enemy electronics.
Pentagon Confirmation Ends Decades of Secrecy
Monday's post from the Pentagon's Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael, confirmed decades of rumors that the military has been developing futuristic weaponry once dismissed as science fiction. Michael, who oversees the Pentagon's research and development, wrote that DEWs produce 'beams of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles.' The technology, first mentioned in the 1960s and deployed by the Navy in 2014, is now a key part of the military's arsenal, with $789.7 million requested for DEW programs in the 2025 fiscal year.
Allegations of a DEW Attack on a Scientist
The confirmation comes as disturbing claims from the late scientist Amy Eskridge have resurfaced. Eskridge, who died at age 34 in June 2022 from a gunshot wound ruled a suicide, allegedly shared evidence of a DEW attack on her home in Huntsville, Alabama. Former British intelligence officer Franc Milburn, who investigated the case, claimed Eskridge was 'murdered by a private aerospace company' to halt her research on anti-gravity technology. Images provided to the Daily Mail showed burned skin, lesions, and a scorched window pane, allegedly caused by a microwave beam from an RF k-band emitter.
How Directed Energy Weapons Work
DEWs use invisible radio waves, such as the k-band, to focus powerful beams on targets. These beams can damage electronics inside drones, missiles, or vehicles from a distance. The technology is considered cost-effective, with each beam costing only a few dollars, compared to traditional munitions. The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has developed multiple DEW projects, including the Locust X3, a truck-mounted laser system shown in the Pentagon's post.
Military and Congressional Acknowledgement
The US Congress has a detailed section on its website acknowledging DEW research and funding. The Pentagon's Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael, is tasked with accelerating the transition of breakthrough technologies to operational reality. Despite the military's use of DEWs against drones and missiles since 2014, there has been no public confirmation of their use against humans. The Daily Mail has sought comment from the Pentagon on the matter.
