Kenneth Krieg, Pentagon acquisition chief, has asked the Defense Science Board to form a task force on directed energy. The request, outlined in an Oct. 30 memo, asks the DSB to review current uses of DE in the Defense Department and other organizations and find out how to “weaponize” DE systems. Krieg also wants the task force to examine vulnerabilities “in regards to offensive use of DE weapons” and study the legal, treaty, and policy issues that could affect use of DE. Krieg expects to see the DSB report by May 31.
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.