King to Navy Officials: “Give a Damn about Directed Energy” in Hearing about FY25 Budget Request

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, pressed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Nickolas Guertin and Navy Vice Admiral James Pitts about the Navy's 2025 budget requests - focusing his attention on the dramatic cuts for directed energy research, as the technology is increasingly becoming a weapon of choice in conflicts worldwide. During the hearing, Senator King strongly urged the Navy to review a cost-benefit analysis of directed energy and invest in 21^st century technology for destroyers to fight current threats.

The Senator began his exchange by asking Admiral Pitts why the requested budget for directed energy has gone down year over year, while Russian and Iranian forces are turning to it.

"The point is, budgets are policy and your policy is, we don't give a damn about directed energy. That is what the policy is in this budget. I understand you've to make choices and everything else, but, to me, this is an obvious choice. It is like telling a soldier on the battlefield you cannot have a rifle. This is the technology of the 21st century, particularly for aerial warfare. Admiral, want to take a crack at that? Wouldn't you want to have directed energy on those destroyers?" King asked.

Admiral Pitts responded, "Thank you, Senator. Yes, sir, we would. And we are continuing efforts. It is an absolute valid point that our budget, we reduced our budget in this particular area of directed energy."

"The Navy reduced from $152 million to $82 million at a time when demand is going up. I cannot make that make sense," Senator King replied.

"Yes, sir. We are continuing efforts-- not as fast as we would like-- in both lasers-Helios is one example-and then working with OSD and the joint force on a higher energy laser-land-based-and high-powered microwaves," said Admiral Pitts.

King concluded, "Again, it's fine for you to tell me that, but the budget is what is talking here and it is not talking very loudly about this essential need."

The Senator also followed up on his line of questioning by highlighting the importance of research and development in directed energy.

"It is pretty sad, by the way, but there is. I don't really have any follow-ups except, General, you said the technology is going to catch up with the risk. It ain't going to catch up with the risk if we don't fund it. If we don't do the research, the prototyping and the development, it won't work without the investment and that is the point I am making. I came into this meeting with a cold and you've managed to help me clear my sinuses earlier and I appreciate it. But seriously, I hope you will go back and think about directed energy because it just makes a much sense. It is a place where the cost-benefit is overwhelming," King concluded.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Seapower Subcommittee, Senator King has long championed the Navy's efforts and has secured multi-year procurement contracts-repeatedly highlighting the necessity-of these long-term contracts to Maine employers like BIW and PNSY.

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