Early military aviation provides an analogy for the emerging contest between drones and directed-energy defences. First World War aircraft began as spotters, then carried pistols, machine guns, and increasingly specialised equipment. Drones are likely to follow a similarly rapid cycle once industrial lasers can reliably shoot them down. Armour and new tactics would answer the laser, producing another round of adaptation rather than a permanent defensive solution.
Notable Point · 21:22-22:07
Drone warfare repeats early aviation's countermeasure cycle
As lasers begin defeating drones, protection and counter-countermeasures may evolve much as First World War spotter aircraft developed into armed fighters and bombers.