Saturday's attack was Iran's first-ever direct assault on Israel. The Army will begin a directed-energy test campaign to find the sweet spot for laser weapons when it comes to lethality, reliability and cost. Fair winds and following seas to Richard C. "Dick" Higgins, a Pearl Harbor survivor who died this week. U.S. and coalition forces took out a steady stream of Houthi attack drones Saturday. At least 31 directed-energy initiatives are underway across the U.S. Department of Defense. Some are more mature than others. The future attack recon aircraft cancellation was not a waste, Army leaders stressed to lawmakers March 6 while detailing tech transfers to other programs. Smaller command posts already are being tested at the National Training Center and overseas. The Pentagon acknowledged an American MQ-9 Reaper drone went down recently in the Red Sea amid an ongoing battle with Houthi militants in the region. The Army's plan to cancel its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft was a surprise, but not a mistake, according to some defense experts. The U.S. struck more than 85 Iran-backed targets on Feb. 2 in retaliation for the deaths of three American soldiers in January. Load More